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Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 18, 2023. "If the United States can effectively rally the world, it’s bad for them. SUPPORT FOR PALESTINEWhile the strategies of Russia and China in the Middle East are not fully aligned they have much in common. Russia said on Thursday it was coordinating Middle East policy with China. The United States has been trying, with limited success, to persuade the global south to rally behind Ukraine.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Sergei Guneev, Israel, Wang Yi, Putin, Xi, Jon Alterman, Bashar al, Assad, Jean, Loup Samaan, Carice Witte, Alterman, Ma Xiaolin, Ma, James Pomfret, Guy Faulconbridge, Don Durfee, Robert Birsel Organizations: Forum, Sputnik, Rights, Initiative, Palestinian, Middle, Center for Strategic, International Studies, PALESTINE, Middle East Institute of, National University of Singapore, United, Ukraine, Israel, Zhejiang International Studies University, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, WASHINGTON, Gaza, Russia, Moscow, United States, Israel, States, East, Africa, Latin America, Asia, Palestine, Washington, U.S, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Tel Aviv, Hong Kong

[1/2] Performers dance to welcome Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong at Beijing Capital International Airport ahead of the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 17, 2023. The conciliatory approach towards rivals as well as China's partners in the developing world comes as President Xi Jinping gets to grips with the most significant domestic economic problems seen in years. China has not changed its tone on every issue. It has not backed away from escalating maritime confrontation with the Philippines in the South China Sea. Stabilizing the U.S. relationship, including with a meeting between Xi and U.S. President Joe Biden at an upcoming Asia- Pacific summit, could give China breathing room.

Persons: Vo Van Thuong, Parker, Biden, Xi Jinping, Noah Barkin, Barkin, Cheng Lei, Xi, Chuck Schumer, Willy Lam, Huiyao Wang, Qin Gang, Li Shangfu, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Zack Cooper, Don Durfee, Robert Birsel Organizations: Beijing Capital International, Forum, U.S, Initiative, Jamestown Foundation, for, Marshall, American Enterprise Institute, Washington, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, San Francisco China, HONG KONG, WASHINGTON, Sri Lanka, United States, Asia, Europe, Australia, U.S, Zambia, Philippines, South China, Africa, for China

[1/4] Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 16, 2023. Ten years on, the most senior EU leader expected to attend the third Belt and Road (BRI) Summit this week is Hungary's populist Viktor Orban, who will join guests including Russia's Vladimir Putin and a minister of the Afghan Taliban. Other analysts say economic slowdown both in China and globally, and rising commodity prices, have also cast a pall over the initiative. Wang Huiyao, president of the Center for China and Globalization think tank, said the BRI had "greatly pushed forward global awareness about the infrastructure deficit". "It's not perfect, but it’s a process, and people are gradually realising it's so important: we need to build infrastructure.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Ken Ishii, Putin, Orban, Britain's, Viktor Orban, Russia's Vladimir Putin, Xi, Jinping, Matthew Erie, they've, Raffaello Pantucci, Ruby Osman, Tony Blair, Osman, Wang Huiyao, Wang, Joyce Zhou, Vineet Sachdev, Antoni Slodkowski, Don Durfee, Robert Birsel Organizations: Beijing Capital International Airport, Forum, REUTERS Acquire, Initiative, University of Oxford, Reuters, Washington, American Enterprise Institute, S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Tony, Tony Blair Institute for Global, Global Development Initiative, Monetary Fund, Sri, Center for, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Italy, Xi's, BEIJING, Western Europe, EU, Taiwan, United States, Ukraine, Erie, CHINA, America, Africa, Russia, Kazakhstan, Congo, Singapore, China's, Argentina, Sri Lanka, Zambia, Center for China

[1/4] Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 16, 2023. Ten years on, the most senior EU leader expected to attend the third Belt and Road (BRI) Summit this week is Hungary's populist Viktor Orban, who will join guests including Russia's Vladimir Putin and a minister of the Afghan Taliban. Such Western doubts have coincided with Xi's assertive leadership and a deterioration in ties over trade, human rights, COVID-19 and Taiwan. Other analysts say economic slowdown both in China and globally, and rising commodity prices, have also cast a pall over the initiative. "It's not perfect, but it’s a process, and people are gradually realising it's so important: we need to build infrastructure.

WASHINGTON, Oct 11 (Reuters) - The U.S. says it has accepted an invitation to attend China's top annual security forum in late October, the latest sign of potentially warming ties between the two countries' militaries. The Pentagon did not say whom China had invited or who from the U.S. side would attend, and China's embassy in Washington also declined to give details. Before 2019, the U.S. often sent embassy defense attaches. CHINA'S DEFENSE MINISTERAs China's defense minister, Li typically would give a keynote speech at the forum and meet with delegations. Beijing has offered no official explanation about Li's fate and his disappearance raises questions about how this year's forum will be conducted.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Austin, Li Shangfu, Nancy Pelosi's, China, China Chad Sbragia, Li, Sbragia, –, Xi, Liu Pengyu, Michael Martina, Idrees Ali, Don Durfee, Gerry Doyle Organizations: U.S, Pentagon, Reuters, China's People's Liberation Army, PLA, Beijing Xiangshan, Defense, Xi Jinping's Global Security Initiative, Washington, Thomson Locations: U.S, Washington, China, Beijing, United States, Taiwan, Russia, Austin

☆ Foreign nationals detained in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Here are some other high-profile cases of foreign nationals detained in China:YANG HENGJUNThe Australian writer has been detained in China for more than three years, and in 2021 was tried in Beijing on undisclosed national security charges. His arrest coincided with worsening relations between Australia and China and a verdict in his case has been repeatedly delayed. JAPANESE BUSINESSMANA Japanese employee of Astellas Pharma Inc, who has not been identified publicly, was detained in Beijing in March on suspicion of espionage, sending a chill through the Japanese business community in China. The Chinese foreign ministry, when asked last month if the Japanese employee had been arrested, said foreign nationals in China must abide by the country's laws or be prosecuted otherwise. KAI LILi, who is Chinese-American, has been detained in China since 2016.

Persons: Cheng Lei, YANG HENGJUN, Yang, ROBERT SCHELLENBERG, Meng Wanzhou, MARK SWIDAN, Katherine Swidan, KAI LI Li, Harrison Li, Laurie Chen, Don Durfee, Robert Birsel Organizations: Astellas Pharma Inc, Kyodo, Huawei, United, Reuters, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Australian, China, Beijing, Australia, United States, Vancouver, Canada, MARK SWIDAN The Texas, United Nations

☆ Factbox-Foreign Nationals Detained in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Persons: Cheng Lei, YANG HENGJUN, Yang, ROBERT SCHELLENBERG, Meng Wanzhou, MARK SWIDAN, Katherine Swidan, KAI LI Li, Harrison Li, Laurie Chen, Don Durfee, Robert Birsel Organizations: Astellas Pharma Inc, Kyodo, Huawei, United, Reuters Locations: BEIJING, Australian, China, Beijing, Australia, United States, Vancouver, Canada, MARK SWIDAN The Texas, United Nations

Wang Yi, China's top diplomat, said the country would continue to play a constructive role in handling global "hotspot issues". But after the killings of more than 900 Israelis in coordinated assaults by the Islamic group Hamas, China's response was muted. China is willing to maintain communication with all parties and make unremitting efforts for peace and stability in the Middle East," Wang Wenbin, a foreign ministry spokesperson, said on Tuesday. "The achievement of peace in the Middle East region and the just settlement of the question of Palestine are inseparable." "China is very successful in a stable environment in the Middle East when it's possible to broker reconciliation agreements between Saudi Arabia and Iran," said Jean-Loup Samaan, Senior Research Fellow at the Middle East Institute of the National University of Singapore.

Persons: Washington . Wang Yi, Xi Jinping, Bill Figueroa, Wang Wenbin, COVID lockdowns, Xi, Steve Tsang, Zhai Jun, Liu Zhongmin, Yun Sun, Tuvia Gering, Jean, Loup Samaan, Samaan, Michael Martina, Don Durfee, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Hamas, University of Groningen, Palestinian, Western, SOAS China Institute, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Arab League, EU, Palestine, United Nations, Abraham Accords, Institute for Middle East Studies of Shanghai International Studies University, China Program, Stimson, Institute for National Security Studies, Initiative, Middle East Institute of, National University of Singapore, Thomson Locations: China, Middle East HONG KONG, BEIJING, SINGAPORE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Saudi, Washington, Palestine, Netherlands, United States, PALESTINE, China's, Beijing, Russia, Ukraine, London, U.S

"The goal truly is channels of communication and ensuring we don't veer into conflict - simple as that," said a senior Biden administration official. The Biden administration wants to counter the country's growing military without provoking a conflict and to push back on what it considers unfair business practices while avoiding an all-out trade war. "The criticism we get from some on (Capitol) Hill and some in the academic community, of course, is that competing means you can't talk to China," said the administration official. NO DELAY IN CHINA POLICIESAdministration officials acknowledge China may see the U.S. push to engage as a chance to weaken or slow Washington's policies targeting China, particularly on exports in strategic industries such as semiconductors, but deny that this is happening. The administration official denied the delays were to avoid upsetting China but were about "getting the technical pieces right, and balancing economic impact on our own domestic competitiveness."

Persons: Antony Blinken, Leah Millis, Biden, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Ivan Kanapathy, Travis King, China –, Xi, San Francisco – doesn't, Mike Gallagher, Michael Martina, Humeyra Pamuk, Don Durfee Organizations: U.S, State Department, REUTERS, Rights, Biden, China, gaslight, White House National Security, Economic Cooperation, Republicans, China's Communist Party, CCP, Democratic, Inspur, Diplomats, Blinken, Thomson Locations: Mexico, Washington , U.S, United States, China, Beijing, U.S, stonewall, Asia, North Korea, San Francisco, CHINA, South China, Lincoln

☆ US budget fight could create opening for China in the Pacific
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( David Brunnstrom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The stopgap "continuing resolution" (CR) that prevented a federal government shutdown does not include approval for this new program, however, and while it maintains federal services to the COFA states, it leaves holes in other parts of their budgets. "Both are countries that recognize Taiwan and are key components of U.S. defense architecture in the Pacific," she said. Paskal said Palau's funding under its existing COFA had dwindled as it approached its final year and it had been banking on funds from the new package to help cover budget deficits. The Washington embassies of Palau and the Marshall islands did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Don Durfee and Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Biden, Cleo Paskal, Paskal, Kaleb Udui, Marshall, Washington, David Brunnstrom, Don Durfee, Josie Kao Organizations: U.S, Congress, Marshall, Northern Pacific, Free Association, Washington, Foundation for Defense, Democracies, U.S . Congress, Palau's Finance, Howard, COFA, . State Department, State Department, Pacific, Forum, Thomson Locations: U.S, Micronesia, Palau, China, Northern, Marshall Islands, Taiwan, Beijing, Washington

☆ US Budget Fight Could Create Opening for China in the Pacific
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

The Biden administration had hoped to see Congress endorse by Sept. 30 new 20-year funding programs for Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau, which after decades of relative neglect now find themselves at the center of a U.S. battle for influence with China in the Northern Pacific. The stopgap "continuing resolution" (CR) that prevented a federal government shutdown does not include approval for this new program, however, and while it maintains federal services to the COFA states, it leaves holes in other parts of their budgets. "Both are countries that recognize Taiwan and are key components of U.S. defense architecture in the Pacific," she said. Paskal said Palau's funding under its existing COFA had dwindled as it approached its final year and it had been banking on funds from the new package to help cover budget deficits. The Washington embassies of Palau and the Marshall islands did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Persons: David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON, Biden, Cleo Paskal, Paskal, Kaleb Udui, Marshall, Washington, David Brunnstrom, Don Durfee, Josie Kao Organizations: U.S, Congress, Marshall, Northern Pacific, Free Association, Washington, Foundation for Defense, Democracies, U.S . Congress, Palau's Finance, Howard, COFA, . State Department, State Department, Pacific, Forum Summit Locations: U.S, Micronesia, Palau, China, Northern, Marshall Islands, Taiwan, Beijing, Washington

President Joe Biden asked Congress in July to approve another $24 billion related to Ukraine, which Ukraine supporters - Republicans as well as Democrats - had hoped could become law as part of a spending bill. A U.S. official said that, as of Monday, the Defense Department had $1.6 billion left to replace weapons sent to Ukraine, no funds left under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) and $5.4 billion worth of Presidential Drawdown Authority. But he, and some other Republicans in both the House and Senate, refused to include more aid for Ukraine in the measure. "Today, DoD has exhausted nearly all available security assistance funding for Ukraine," McCord wrote in the letter, dated Sept. 29 and expressing concern that the stopgap spending bill did not include security assistance for Ukraine. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Kyiv was in talks with Republicans and Democrats in Congress, and that the drama around the stopgap bill was an "incident" rather than something systemic.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Ken Cedeno, Joe Biden's, Biden, McCarthy, Joe Biden, UKRAINE DRUMBEAT, Donald Trump, White, Matt Gaetz, Karine Jean, Pierre, Vladimir, Putin, Jean, Michael McCord, McCord, Lockheed Martin’s, Dmytro Kuleba, Patricia Zengerle, Mike Stone, Moira Warburton, Makini Brice, Steve Holland, Don Durfee, Alison Williams Organizations: ., U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Ukraine, Republican, Republicans, Defense Department, Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, Congress, Senate, Reuters Graphics REPUBLICAN, Kyiv, Monday, White, Department of Defense, Pentagon, DoD, RTX, Lockheed, Democrats, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, Washington, Kyiv, Russia, Ukraine, UKRAINE, Tucson , Arizona, Camden , Arkansas

☆ US Congress Debates Ukraine Aid as Pentagon Warns Money Running Low
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

Washington has sent the Kyiv government $113 billion in security, economic and humanitarian aid since Russia invaded in February 2022. A U.S. official said that, as of Monday, the Defense Department had $1.6 billion left to replace weapons sent to Ukraine, no funds left under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) and $5.4 billion worth of Presidential Drawdown Authority. But he, and some other Republicans in both the House and Senate, refused to include more aid for Ukraine in the measure. We'll have another package of aid soon to signal our support for the brave people of Ukraine," Jean-Pierre said. "Today, DoD has exhausted nearly all available security assistance funding for Ukraine," McCord wrote in the letter, dated Sept. 29 and expressing concern that the stopgap spending bill did not include security assistance for Ukraine.

Persons: Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, Joe Biden's, Kevin McCarthy, Biden, McCarthy, Joe Biden, UKRAINE DRUMBEAT, Donald Trump, White, Matt Gaetz, Karine Jean, Pierre, Vladimir, Putin, Jean, Michael McCord, McCord, Lockheed Martin’s, Dmytro Kuleba, Patricia Zengerle, Mike Stone, Moira Warburton, Makini Brice, Steve Holland, Don Durfee, Alison Williams Organizations: Ukraine, Republican, Republicans, U.S, Defense Department, Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, Congress, Senate, REPUBLICAN, Kyiv, Monday, White, Department of Defense, Pentagon, DoD, RTX, Lockheed, Democrats Locations: U.S, Washington, Kyiv, Russia, Ukraine, UKRAINE, Tucson , Arizona, Lockheed Martin’s Camden , Arkansas

Blinken met with Jaishankar at the State Department on Thursday afternoon. A State Department spokesperson said that in the meeting Blinken had urged India to cooperate "fully" with the ongoing Canadian investigation. Ties between Indian and Canada have become seriously strained after Trudeau told parliament this month that Canada suspected Indian government agents were linked to the murder. Jaishankar said on Tuesday New Delhi had told Canada it was open to looking into any "specific" or "relevant" information it provides on the killing. The U.S. ambassador to Canada told Canadian television that some information on the case had been gathered by the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which groups the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Britain.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Leah Millis, Jake Sullivan, Hardeep Singh, Blinken, Jaishankar, Trudeau, Nijjar, Sullivan, Washington, Humeyra Pamuk, David Brunnstrom, Doina Chiacu, Caitlin Webber, Daniel Wallis, Don Durfee Organizations: State Department, REUTERS, Rights, India's, U.S . National, Department, New, The, Canadian, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Canada, India, United States, Washington, Blinken, U.S, Quebec, Canadian, New Delhi, The U.S, Australia, New Zealand, Britain

☆ How would a government shutdown affect US foreign policy?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Some foreign aid programs could also run out of money or have trouble performing their missions. "It would make it harder to do everything that we do to try to advance national security." Contracts awarded before the shutdown would continue, and the Pentagon could place new orders for supplies or services needed to protect national security. SPY AGENCIESThe Central Intelligence Agencies and other intelligence agencies have not publicly shared their plans for a shutdown. But in the past, staff involved in operations, analysis and cyber activities have been deemed critical to national security and ordered to keep working, possibly without pay.

Persons: Joshua Roberts, Biden, Antony Blinken, Lockheed Martin, Patricia Zengerle, Daphne Psaledakis, Mike Stone, Don Durfee, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, STATE DEPARTMENT U.S, Department of State, State Department, Pentagon, Boeing, Lockheed, Raytheon, National Nuclear Security Administration, Central Intelligence Agencies, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Russia, Ukraine, States, China, U.S

WASHINGTON/SEOUL, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Private Travis King, the U.S. soldier who ran into North Korea in July, is in U.S. custody and heading home after being expelled by North Korea into China, the United States said on Wednesday. For its part, North Korea appears to have treated his case as one of illegal immigration. North Korea's KCNA state news agency said King told Pyongyang he entered North Korea illegally because he was disillusioned about unequal U.S. Last month, it said that he wanted refuge in North Korea or elsewhere because of maltreatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. army. KING IN 'GOOD HEALTH'The Swedish government, which represents U.S. interests in North Korea because Washington has no diplomatic presence in the country, retrieved King in North Korea and brought him to China.

Persons: Travis King, King, KCNA, Matthew Miller, Nicholas Burns, Miller, Kim Hong, Jonathan Franks, Claudine Gates, Gates, Myron Gates, Fort Sam Houston, Brittney Griner, Hyonhee Shin, hyang Choi, Phil Stewart, Susan Heavey, Trevor Hunnicutt, Doina, Idrees Ali, Daphne Psaledakis Michael Martina, Humeyra Pamuk, David Brunnstrom, Brendan O'Brien, Johan Ahlander, Philippa Fletcher, Sharon Singleton, Bill Berkrot, Don Durfee, Daniel Wallis, William Maclean, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: North, The State Department, ., China . State Department, U.S, Osan Air Force Base, King, REUTERS, United States Army, ABC News, South Korean, Brooke Army Medical Center, Base San, Fort, Russia, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, SEOUL, U.S, North Korea, China, United States, Washington, Pyongyang, Swedish, Beijing, Dandong, Shenyang, South Korea, Sweden, Gijungdong, Panmunjom, Texas, Base San Antonio, Seoul, Chicago, Stockholm

☆ Actor Viola Davis to join US African diaspora council
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] FiILE PHOTO: Viola Davis attends the world premiere of "AIR" at Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 27, 2023. REUTERS/Lauren Justice/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 26 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced the first members of the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, including actor Viola Davis, who will advise Washington on deepening ties with African communities. Washington has sought to stress the region's importance and counter challenges posed by China and Russia to the United States' interests in the increasingly important region. In addition to Viola Davis, members include: Patrick Gaspard, the president and CEO of the Center for American Progress think tank; C.D. Glin, president of the PepsiCo Foundation and global head of social impact for PepsiCo; and Almaz Negash, founder of the African Diaspora Network, among others.

Persons: Viola Davis, Lauren Justice, Joe Biden, Judd Devermont, Silvester Beaman, Patrick Gaspard, Glin, Davis, Tony, Wagner, Daphne Psaledakis, Simon Lewis, Don Durfee, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Regency Village Theatre, REUTERS, Rights, Tuesday, Africa, Summit, National Security, African Affairs, African Methodist Episcopal, Center for American Progress, PepsiCo Foundation, PepsiCo, African Diaspora Network, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, President’s, Washington, China, Russia, United States, States, Africa, Ukraine

Ahead of a White House welcome for the leaders, Biden announced U.S. diplomatic recognition of two more Pacific islands nations, the Cook Islands and Niue. The White House said this year it would focus on priorities including climate change, economic growth, sustainable development, public health and countering illegal fishing. In Baltimore on Sunday, Pacific island leaders visited a Coast Guard cutter in the harbor and were briefed on combating illegal fishing by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, an official said. The White House in 2022 said the U.S. would invest more than $810 million in expanded programs to aid the Pacific islands. She added that Pacific island countries "welcome the U.S. re-engagement with the region, but don't want geopolitical tussles to result in an escalation of militarization."

Persons: Joe Biden, Walter E, Elizabeth Frantz, Biden, Manasseh Sogavare, Washington, Sogavare, Meg Keen, Sato Kilman, Kilman, Ishmael Kalsakau, David Brunnstrom, Trevor Hunnicutt, Kirsty Needham, Don Durfee, Grant McCool Organizations: Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Washington Convention Center, REUTERS, Rights, Pacific, NFL, White, U.S ., Niue, Sunday, Coast Guard, Sunday's National Football League, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Solomon, Biden, Australia's Lowy Institute, USAID, Vanuatu, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Washington, Cook Islands, Niue, The U.S, Papua New Guinea, U.S, Asia, Cook, Baltimore, Pacific, China, Beijing, Congress, Australia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Kiribati, Hawaii, Palau, Micronesia, Marshall, Sydney

During the three-day meeting, the U.S. will announce diplomatic recognition for two Pacific islands, promise new money for infrastructure, including to improve Internet connectivity via undersea cables, and honor regional leaders at an NFL game. SOME SKIP SUMMITSolomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who has deepened his country's ties with China, will skip the summit. The White House in 2022 said the U.S. would invest more than $810 million in expanded programs to aid the Pacific islands. She added that Pacific island countries "welcome the U.S. re-engagement with the region, but don't want geopolitical tussles to result in an escalation of militarization. "Vanuatu Prime Minister Sato Kilman will also not attend the summit, his office told Reuters.

Persons: Manasseh Sogavare, James Marape, David Kabua, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, Joe Biden, Biden, Washington, Sogavare, Meg Keen, Sato Kilman, Kilman, Ishmael Kalsakau, David Brunnstrom, Trevor Hunnicutt, Kirsty Needham, Don Durfee, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Solomon Islands, Guinea's, Samoa's, U.S ., NFL, White, Coast Guard, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, Solomon, Biden, Pacific, Australia's Lowy Institute, USAID, Vanuatu, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Solomon, Papua, Marshall, U.S, WASHINGTON, Washington, Papua New Guinea, Asia, United States, Cook, Niue, Baltimore, Pacific, China, Beijing, Congress, Australia, The U.S, Vanuatu, Fiji, Kiribati, Hawaii, Palau, Micronesia, Sydney

Menendez said he decided to step down temporarily as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Menendez has been a crucial partner for Biden on these and other foreign policy priorities. "Like him or dislike him, Menendez has played an incredibly influential role when it comes to shaping U.S. foreign policy," said Daniel Vajdich, a Republican former Foreign Relations Committee staffer. Vajdich noted that Menendez's departure adds to uncertainty on Capitol Hill about foreign policy, given sharp divisions among Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, on issues like aid to Ukraine. Under Senate Democratic Conference rules, any member charged with a felony must give up his or her committee leadership position.

Persons: Bob Menendez, Elizabeth Frantz, Joe Biden, Menendez, Biden, Daniel Vajdich, Vajdich, Ben Cardin, Karine Jean, Pierre, Suzanne Wrasse, Jim Risch, Risch, Barack Obama's, Patricia Zengerle, Don Durfee, Timothy Gardner Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Democratic, Senate Foreign Relations, Justice Department, Russian, Senate, Ukraine, Republican, Foreign Relations, Hill, Republicans, White House, Senate Democratic Conference, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Ukraine, China . U.S, New Jersey, China, United States, UKRAINE, Kyiv, Iran

While Biden and most congressional leaders still support aid to Ukraine, and Biden's Democrats control the Senate, Zelenskiy faces a tougher crowd than when he visited Washington nine months ago. Zelenskiy told Senators that military aid was crucial to Ukraine's war effort, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in the Senate chamber after the briefing, which took place behind closed doors. "If we don't get the aid, we will lose the war," Schumer quoted Zelenskiy as saying. Biden will announce a new $325 million military aid package for Ukraine, which is expected to include the second tranche of cluster munitions fired by a 155 millimeter Howitzer cannon. About a third of the House Republican caucus voted in July for a failed proposal to cut funding for Ukraine.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Hakeem Jeffries, Kevin McCarthy, Zelenskiy, Joe Biden, Biden, Chris Murphy, Chuck Schumer, Schumer, Lloyd Austin, we're, Vladimir Putin, J.D, Vance, McConnell, Makini Brice, Phil Stewart, Patricia Zengerle, Andrea Shalal, Simon Lewis, Don Durfee, Heather Timmons, Alistair Bell Organizations: U.S . House, U.S, Capitol, United Nations, Pentagon, National Archives, Senate, Chamber, U.S . Defense, Washington, Biden, Republican, Management, Republicans, Democrats, Reuters, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: Washington, WASHINGTON, Russia, Ukraine, United States, Ukrainian, NATO, Kyiv

☆ Notable remarks on Ukraine at UN Security Council
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has his address to the United Nations Security Council laid out on the desk in front of him as he attends a ministerial level meeting of the Security Council on the crisis in Ukraine at U.N. headquarters in New York, September 20, 2023. U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN:"It's hard to imagine a country demonstrating more contempt for the United Nations and all that it stands for - this from a country with a permanent seat on this council. "The war is having an increasingly devastating toll on the people in Ukraine and elsewhere in the world. "The only pathway for a comprehensive peace ... is one that must be just and based on the charter of the United Nations, and international law." SWISS PRESIDENT ALAIN BERSET:"With Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, the (U.N.) Charter has been violated on a massive scale.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Brendan McDermid, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, BLINKEN, Putin, SERGEI LAVROV, GUILLERMO LASSO, NANA AKUFO, ALAIN BERSET, FUMIO, Gabriela Baczynska, Humeyra Pamuk, Don Durfee Organizations: United Nations Security Council, Security, REUTERS, UNITED NATIONS, Wednesday, Security Council, Russia, OF STATE, United Nations, UN, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, U.N, New York, Russia, Soviet Union, .

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attends the 78th United Nations General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 19, 2023. REUTERS/Bing Guan Acquire Licensing RightsUNITED NATIONS, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Ukraine urgently needs air defenses, including ammunition, spare parts and maintenance for the systems the Ukrainian military already has, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told Reuters on Tuesday. "There is an urgent need for air defense, not only new systems, but also ammunition, maintenance, spare parts ... We see that air defense is saving lives every day in Ukraine and we need to sustain the air defense systems of Ukraine." He spoke after a senior State Department official said earlier on Tuesday that reinforcing Ukraine's air defenses was key, including to protect critical infrastructure as winter descends. Stoltenberg declined to say how many rounds of munitions NATO allies can deliver to Ukraine each year, or when exactly F-16s would be delivered to Kyiv.

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, Bing Guan, Stoltenberg, Putin, Vladimir Putin, Gabriela Baczynska, Don Durfee, Grant McCool Organizations: NATO, United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Headquarters, REUTERS, UNITED NATIONS, Reuters, Russian, State Department, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Ukraine, New York, Kyiv, Russia, Moscow

☆ World leaders to meet at UN as big powers vie for developing states
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Michelle Nichols | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

John Angelillo/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsUNITED NATIONS, Sept 15 (Reuters) - World leaders meet at the United Nations next week in the shadow of geopolitical tensions - largely fueled by the war in Ukraine - as Russia and China vie with the United States and Europe to win over developing countries. BILLIONS FOR INFRASTRUCTUREThe Ukraine war is just one reason for the focus on developing countries. Ahead of the New York meetings, diplomats acknowledged their focus on the developing world but dismissed suggestions that rivalry played a role. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, described the U.N. gathering as a chance for small countries to "lay out their priorities to us" and that she doesn't view it "as being a competition between big powers." Ambassador Zhang Jun told Reuters that Beijing has "no intention to compete with anyone else" and that, as China's conditions improved, the country was "willing to do more in return for developing countries but we are not competing."

Persons: John Angelillo, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Richard Gowan, U.N, Linda Thomas, Greenfield, Zhang Jun, Russia's U.N, Vassily Nebenzia, Joe Biden, Antonio Guterres, Sergei Lavrov, Nebenzia, Barbara Woodward, Michelle Nichols, Don Durfee, Howard Goller Organizations: UN, Assembly, United Nations Headquarters, REUTERS Acquire, UNITED NATIONS, United Nations, Group, New, Reuters, Security, Ukraine, Thomson Locations: New York, U.S, Ukraine, Russia, China, United States, Europe, Africa, Latin America, Asia, Beijing, Moscow, European, Western, Brazil, India, South Africa, African

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

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