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☆ Trump’s surreal arraignment day in Washington augurs ominous days ahead
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

He was irked, sources familiar with his mindset told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, that the judge referred to him simply as “Mr. Any alternative Republican president could find themselves besieged by demands from Trump supporters for a pardon that, if granted, could overshadow their entire presidency. The California Republican compared Trump’s behavior to the complaints by supporters of past Democratic presidential nominees Al Gore and Hillary Clinton, who complained of electoral irregularities. A few Democrats objected to certifying Trump’s election in Congress is 2016, but Clinton did not challenge it in the courts. But their blind spot on Trump’s far worse, Constitution-threatening conduct shows just how far he has changed their party.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, –, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Jack Smith –, “, ” Trump, pardoning, J, Michael Luttig, ” Luttig, ”, Geoff Duncan, ” Duncan, Richard Nixon, ” Nixon, Smith, Alberto Gonzales, George W, Bush, Ty Cobb, CNN’s Erin Burnett, Cobb, Elliot Williams, Biden’s, Kevin McCarthy, Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, ” McCarthy, Gore, Clinton, Kinzinger, Biden, Hunter Organizations: CNN, Washington, Republican, Capitol, Trump, Justice Department, Department of Justice, White, GOP, California Republican, Democratic, Supreme, CNN Republicans, Republicans Locations: America, United States, New Jersey, Georgia, California, China, Ukraine, Bedminster

☆ Trump set to return to Washington for monumental court date – but a national catharsis is unlikely
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Hundreds of Trump’s supporters have already faced a courtroom reckoning for their efforts to disrupt the certification of a democratic election. Trump faces charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights. Another reason why Trump’s trial is unlikely to be the kind of unifying event that eases a deep national wound is that most of his Republican Party is closing ranks around him. Given the political recriminations of a trial of a former president, it is reasonable to question whether such a prosecution is in the national interest. “Anyone who asks someone else to put themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States again,” Pence told reporters at the Indiana state fair.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Joe Biden’s, snubbing, Jack Smith –, “, Van Jones, Smith, Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, ” Trump, Joe Biden, President Trump, Elise Stefanik, Biden didn’t, Biden, –, Mike Pence, ”, Pence, ” Pence Organizations: CNN, GOP, Biden, Capitol, Trump, White, Republican, ”, Republican White House Locations: United States, Washington, DC, New York, Lago, Florida, Indiana

☆ Why Trump’s latest indictment will reverberate for years to come
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

And he’s not just any former president – Trump’s the front-runner for the GOP nomination, whom polling shows is closely matched with President Joe Biden in a hypothetical rematch. “The lawlessness of these persecutions of President Trump and his supporters is reminiscent of Nazi Germany in the 1930s, and other authoritarian, dictatorial regimes,” it said. Trump’s congressional Republican backers ignored Smith’s evidence, branding the indictment an attempt to distract from questions they’ve raised about the business activities of the current president’s son, Hunter. The political inferno ignited by the indictment will raise questions about whether such an ordeal is truly in the national interest. Ron DeSantis stands to gain in the GOP primary from any eroding of Trump’s political prospects.

Persons: CNN —, Donald J, Trump ”, “, –, Joe Biden, George Washington, Jack Smith’s, Trump, President Trump, they’ve, Hunter, Smith, insurrectionists, …, Biden, they’d, Scott Jennings, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Mike Pence, it’s, ” Smith, ” George Conway, John Lauro, ”, Jeffrey Clark, ” Clark, Pence, Trump’s, Ron DeSantis, Kevin McCarthy, Wyoming Sen, John Barrasso –, weaponizing, Chris Sununu, who’s Organizations: CNN, GOP, Trump, Biden, Department, Republicans, New York Times, Siena, Justice Department, Republican, White House, Trump thickens, White, Justice, Florida Gov, Harvard Law, US Navy, Capitol, New Hampshire Republican Gov Locations: United States, America, Washington, Manhattan, Nazi Germany, Fulton County , Georgia, Wyoming

☆ China's Qin Gang had meteoric rise and swift removal
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Born in the northern city of Tianjin in 1966, Qin studied International Politics at one of China's most prestigious schools for aspiring diplomats, the University of International Relations in Beijing. After graduating, Qin entered the diplomatic service, working in several jobs at the foreign ministry as well as postings at the Chinese Embassy in Britain. Qin was twice foreign ministry spokesman, between 2006 and 2014, and chief protocol officer between 2014 and 2018, overseeing many of Xi's interactions with foreign leaders. After becoming foreign minister, Qin's comments on hot button issues such as Taiwan and China's relations with Russia did not diverge in any significant way from those of his predecessor. In his first comments as foreign minister, Qin said in solving challenges common to all mankind, China's diplomacy would offer "Chinese wisdom, Chinese initiatives and Chinese strength".

Persons: Qin Gang, Xi Jinping, Xi, Wang Yi, Qin, Britain . Qin, Antony Blinken, Wang, Yew Lun Tian, Martin Quin Pollard, Rob Birsel, Nick Macfie Organizations: Foreign, University of International Relations, Embassy, Washington, U.S, Chinese Communist Party, Thomson Locations: Tianjin, Beijing, Britain ., United States, Washington, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Russia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Africa, Europe, Ukraine, China, American, U.S

OTTAWA, July 18 (Reuters) - Canada sees a path forward in reaching international consensus on digital services taxes, and a decision to not back a global agreement on freezing the implementation of domestic taxes was taken in the national interest, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Tuesday. Last week, most countries with planned digital services taxes agreed to hold off applying them for at least a year longer than what was agreed initially as a global tax deal to replace local taxes was pushed back. Ottawa did not back that deal to extend, saying such a delay would put Canada at a disadvantage relative to countries that have been collecting revenue under their pre-existing digital services taxes. Freeland, in India to attend G7 and G20 meetings, said she had good conversations about finding a path forward on digital services taxes. More than 140 countries were supposed to start implementing next year a 2021 deal overhauling decades-old rules on how governments tax multinational companies.

Persons: Chrystia Freeland, Freeland, Ismail Shakil, Steve Scherer, David Ljunggren, Matthew Lewis Organizations: OTTAWA, Finance, Ottawa, Apple, Thomson Locations: Canada, New Delhi, Freeland, India, Ottawa

☆ Australians say they would support Taiwan if China attacked, with limits, poll shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] A Taiwan flag can be seen at Liberty Square in Taipei, Taiwan, July 28, 2022. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File PhotoSYDNEY, June 20 (Reuters) - Australians would support responding to a Chinese attack on Taiwan with economic sanctions, arms supplies or using the navy to prevent a blockade, but don't support sending troops, an opinion poll to be released Wednesday finds. Ryan Neelam, director of public opinion at the foreign policy think tank, said the poll showed Australians are "cautious about conflict", but willing to support Taiwan without becoming a ground combatant. Eighty percent support accepting Taiwanese refugees, 76% support "imposing economic and diplomatic sanctions on China", 64% support "Australia sending arms and military supplies to the Taiwanese government", and 61% support "using the Australian Navy to help prevent China from imposing a blockade around Taiwan". Only 42% supported sending "Australian military personnel to Taiwan to help defend it from China".

Persons: Ann Wang, Anthony Albanese, Asia's, Ryan Neelam, Michael Fullilove, Kirsty Needham, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Liberty, REUTERS, Lowy Institute, U.S, Australian Navy, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Taipei, Canberra, United States, Beijing, Australia, China, Asia, U.S, Sydney

☆ Opinion: In Ukraine, the Russian military response to the counteroffensive shows how it’s improved – and how it hasn’t
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Opinion Sébastien Roblin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The beginning of the much-anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russia seems not to have been a resounding success for Kyiv. But they don’t mean that all is lost for Ukraine – or even that Ukraine is now losing. Russia’s artillery ammunition, missile stockpiles and most-modern ground combat vehicles were gravely depleted, so 60-year-old tanks have been withdrawn from storage. It was while attempting to breach a path through one such fortified minefield that the 47th Brigade’s vehicles bogged down last week. Notably, a parallel drive toward Mariupol at the same time as the 47th’s failed attack last week has made fast gains, compelling Russian forces to withdraw from several settlements.

Persons: Sébastien Roblin, Bradley, ” Sebastien Roblin, Sebastien Roblin, Putin, Biden, —, Jens Stoltenberg, ” Organizations: Popular Mechanics, NBC, Forbes.com, Georgetown University, Peace Corps, CNN, Kyiv, Ukraine’s 47th Brigade, Ukraine, Red Army, 47th Brigade, NATO, Twitter, Facebook Locations: China, Russia, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Kursk, Kherson, Normandy, Berdyansk, Crimea

☆ Hong Kong protest anthem vanishes from online music platforms after government seeks full ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The ballad contains lyrics that reference the phrase “liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times,” a protest slogan that has been already outlawed in 2020 for what the government and courts have declared are the phrase’s secessionist and subversive connotations. Users in the US cannot purchase the song on Apple Music either, although it also still yields search results on the platform. Following its 1997 handover to China, Hong Kong was promised key freedoms and autonomy to run its own affairs. The head of Amnesty International’s China team, Sarah Brooks, described the government’s move to outlaw the song as “absurd.”“The Hong Kong government must end its increasingly fervent crackdown on freedom of expression. Playing the song in public in Hong Kong is now fraught with legal risk.

Persons: Hong Kong ”, ”, “ ThomasDGX, Hong Kong, Hong Kong’s, John Lee –, –, Sarah Brooks, ” Brooks, Hong Kongers, Carl Court, Queen Elizabeth II Organizations: CNN, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Google, Department of Justice, RTHK, Amnesty, “, Volunteers Locations: Hong Kong, United States, South Korea, Australia, Taiwan, China, Hong, Beijing

☆ Versions of Hong Kong protest anthem no longer available on iTunes and Spotify
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Jessie Pang | Thomson Reuters | Jessie Pang Joined Reuters In After An Internship. She Covers Hong Kong With A Focus On Politics | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HONG KONG, June 14 (Reuters) - Various versions of the pro-democracy protest anthem "Glory to Hong Kong" were unavailable on Apple’s iTunes Store, Spotify, Facebook and Instagram’s Reels on Wednesday after the government sought an injunction banning the song outright. “Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has a duty and obligation to safeguard national security, and we should do it proactively and also preventively,” Lee said. "Glory to Hong Kong", including its various versions, dominated the top ten in Apple’s Hong Kong iTunes Store chart as people rushed to buy the song after the government announced its bid to ban it. "Glory to Hong Kong" has been played mistakenly instead of the Chinese national anthem "March of the Volunteers". Hong Kong's security chief said in December Google had refused to change its search results to display China's national anthem instead of "Glory to Hong Kong" when users searched for Hong Kong's national anthem, expressing "great regret" at the decision.

Persons: Hong, ThomasDGX, John Lee, ” Lee, Sarah Brooks, Hong Kong, HongKongers ”, Jessie Pang, Josh Ye, Nick Macfie Organizations: iTunes, Spotify, Facebook, Reuters, Rugby Sevens, “ Hong, Amnesty, High Court, Hong Kong iTunes, Apple, Google, Volunteers, Asia Rugby Association, Hong, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, “, “ Hong Kong, Hong, British

☆ Analysis: Trump's main 2024 election goal is now to save himself
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Trump’s legal defense strategy is now entirely fused with his electoral one. His bid to regain the White House is no longer a mere political campaign but has now become about self-preservation. If Trump becomes the 2024 GOP nominee, the cloud of criminality could linger over the election until November next year. This potentially could cause havoc with Trump’s political schedule. The salience of Trump’s grievance campaign could become even more relevant in a general election.

Persons: Donald Trump, underscoring, –, Trump, he’s, ” Trump, Joe Biden, He’s, “ He’s, ”, Van Jones, Hillary Clinton, Jack Smith’s, “, — Trump, Kevin McCarthy, Nikki Haley gingerly, she’d, Mike Pence, Ken Buck, CNN’s Dana, Steve Womack, CNN’s Manu Raju, —, Fani Willis, Ron DeSantis Organizations: CNN, White House, GOP, America, ” CNN, Trump, Republican, Republicans, Capitol, Former South Carolina Gov, Wall Street, Freedom Caucus, Arkansas, House Republicans, Justice Department, Trump hasn’t, Florida Gov, “ Locations: Cuban, Miami, New Jersey, Florida, Trump, Colorado, Manhattan, Georgia

☆ President Trump's arraignment on federal charges is a grave moment for the nation
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

For the first time in history, the nation is seeking to put on criminal trial a person who was elected to lead it as president. His indictment, brimming with details on Trump’s disastrously lax handling of classified materials, shocked many government veterans. (The DOJ has closed its investigation into Pence, while the special counsel probe of Biden’s handling of classified documents is ongoing.) “If this indictment is true, if what it says is actually the case, President Trump was incredibly reckless with our national security,” Haley said on Fox News. Typically, federal ranking officials are highly protective of classified material, knowing that even a lapse in the handling of one document could get them in trouble with the law, or land them in jail.

Persons: CNN —, Donald J, Trump, Utah Sen, Mitt Romney, “ I’m, ” Romney, it’s, He’s, Joe Biden’s, Jack Smith, ”, John Bolton, “, …, Donald Trump’s, ” Trump, Waltine, –, Smith, General Merrick Garland, Kevin McCarthy, Biden, Mike Pence, Pence, Nikki Haley, ” Haley, he’s, “ Donald Trump, Carolina Sen, Lindsey Graham, Florida Sen, Marco Rubio, Garland, ” Rubio, It’s, Donald Trump, Valerie Plame, Bush, Joseph Wilson, Plame, Jake Tapper Organizations: CNN, Trump, Republican, Trump didn’t, “ CNN, Justice Department, Biden, Republicans, GOP, DOJ, South Carolina Gov, Fox News, United Nations, ABC, Senate Intelligence, CBS, CIA Locations: United States, America, Miami, Utah, Manhattan, Georgia, Carolina, Florida, Lago, Bedminster, Iraq

☆ Why the U.S. Electric Grid Isn’t Ready for the Energy Transition
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Nadja Popovich | Brad Plumer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +13 min

Power lines 100KV 345kV 500kV Data reflects the contiguous U.S. Power lines 100KV 345kV 500kV Data reflects the contiguous U.S. Power lines 100KV 345kV 500kV Data reflects the contiguous U.S. Power lines 100KV 345kV Data reflects the contiguous U.S. Power lines 100KV 345kV 500kV Data reflects the contiguous U.S. That makes it hard to build the long-distance power lines needed to transport wind and solar nationwide. To make the plan work, the nation would need thousands of miles of new high-voltage transmission lines — large power lines that would span multiple grid regions. Utilities are sometimes wary of long-distance transmission lines that might undercut their local monopolies. “The grid is already a critical element of our energy system,” said Matteo Muratori, an analyst at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

☆ Trump's defenders have launched a plan months in the making that ignores the substance of the indictment while attacking the credibility of federal prosecutors
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Supporters of Trump in Congress have now launched a plan months in the making to discredit federal prosecutors. McCarthy called it a "grave injustice" and said that House Republicans "will hold this brazen weaponization of power accountable." "God bless President Trump." As special counsel Jack Smith was preparing this week to release the indictment, Trump's allies on Capitol Hill were working overtime to prepare the defense of the former president. Jordan issued a series of letters to the Justice Department, demanding documents related to his investigation into Trump's handling of classified records.

Persons: —, Donald Trump's, skims, Joe Biden —, Kevin McCarthy, Trump, McCarthy, Biden, Department's, Biden's, Hunter Biden, Jim Jordan of, Andy Biggs, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Jamie Raskin, Alvin Bragg, Jordan, Jack Smith, Trump's, John Durham, General Merrick Garland, Garland, Steven D'Antuono, Nancy Mace, Donald Trump, James, Republican Sen, Ted Cruz, Cruz's, Mitch McConnell, Mitt Romney, Romney Organizations: Trump, Service, Justice Department, Department, Republican, Republicans, FBI, Twitter, GOP, America, Department of Justice, Democratic, Capitol, Ohio Republican, Washington Field Office, South Carolina, CNN, ABC Locations: Congress, Florida, United States of America, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Arizona, New York, Russia, York, Manhattan, Bragg's New York, Trump's, Lago, Georgia, Washington, Texas, Utah

☆ The twice-impeached Trump now faces his second criminal indictment as he looks to recapture White House
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —Donald Trump, who has often lied, unquestionably told the truth when he said Thursday was a “dark day” for America. Why the new indictment could be more serious than the firstAmazingly, this was not the first time Trump was indicted. This undercut his arguments that he declassified everything he took from the White House. — On Thursday, CNN’s Zachary Cohen revealed that a key former White House official who worked in both the Trump and Obama administrations was interviewed by special counsel prosecutors earlier this year. “The weaponization of federal law enforcement represents a mortal threat to a free society,” he tweeted before making his own White House pitch.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, it’s, Simply, Joe Biden –, he’s, Trump’s, “ It’s, That’s, ”, Stormy Daniels, Jim Trusty, Kevin McCarthy, “, Elise Stefanik, parroted, Joe Biden, GOP Sen, Josh Hawley, Jack Smith’s, —, Andrew McCabe, Smith, Mark Meadows, CNN’s Zachary Cohen, thrall, Alvin Bragg’s, Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence –, – Organizations: CNN, Republican, Justice Department, Biden’s Justice Department, Trump, “, ”, ” New York, GOP, — CNN, FBI, Mar, White, New York Times, White House, Obama, Biden’s, Florida Gov, DOJ, Republican Party Locations: America, Miami, Manhattan, United States of America, Missouri, Iran, Washington ,, Florida, —, Georgia

☆ The debt-ceiling bill that just passed the Senate eases the way for a new gas pipeline — and for clean energy projects like EV charging and solar panels
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Bartie Scott | Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The debt-ceiling bill includes reforms that aim to speed up construction on energy projects. It also claims a West Virginia pipeline is in the national interest — and pushes through its completion. The reforms in the bill include limiting the environmental permitting process to two years, along with requiring projects to name a single lead agency that would develop one master environmental review document. Now, the permitting reforms included in the deal would force federal agencies to approve all remaining permits for the pipeline and allow it to bypass the courts and fast-track construction. Manchin, who is also the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, plans to bring more comprehensive legislation to the Senate floor by the end of the summer.

Persons: —, Kevin McCarthy, Raúl Grijalva, polluters, Grijalva, Melanie Stansbury, Stansbury, Sen, Joe Manchin, Tim Kaine, Kaine, Manchin Organizations: Service, Environmental, White, Sunday, Arizona, Natural Resources Committee, NEPA, Natural Resources, Infrastructure Law, Democratic, Senate, Senate Energy Locations: West Virginia, Virginia

ROME, May 5 (Reuters) - Italy's Treasury is open to reducing its 64% stake in Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS) (BMPS.MI) through one or more share sales on the market, three people briefed on the matters told Reuters. After rescuing MPS at a cost of 5.4 billion euros ($6 billion) for taxpayers, Rome pumped another 1.6 billion into the Tuscan bank last November when it covered 64% of a 2.5 billion euro capital raise. MPS had to raise fresh capital to fund staff exits and replenish its capital reserves after the Treasury failed to clinch a sale of the bank to UniCredit (CRDI.MI) in 2021. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said several times that MPS's privatisation should foster the creation of several large banking groups in the country. ($1 = 0.9081 euros)Reporting by Giuseppe Fonte in Rome and Valentina Za in Milan; Editing by Susan FentonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. issues guidelines on defending Philippines from South China Sea attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Karen Lema | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The guidelines said the bilateral treaty commitments would be invoked if either is attacked specifically in the South China Sea and also if coast guard vessels were the target. 'WARNING' TO CHINAThe South China Sea, a waterway vital to global trade, has become a major flashpoint in the increasingly testy relationship between China and the United States. China's foreign ministry on Thursday said it opposed the use of bilateral defence treaties to interfere in the South China Sea, which "should not be a hunting ground for external forces". The guidelines were released during visit to Washington this week by Marcos, which included talks with counterpart Joe Biden. Marcos also met Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who told him "we will always have your back, in the South China Sea or elsewhere in the region."

☆ Italy's TIM seeks final offer for grid by June 9
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Elvira Pollina Jubabu | Elvira Pollina | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TIM directors gathered on Thursday to draw a response to rival non binding approaches for its landline grid by KKR (KKR.N) and a consortium comprising state lender CDP and fund Macquarie (MQG.AX), worth 21 billion euros ($23 billion) and 19.3 billion euros, respectively. In a statement after the board meeting, TIM said it deemed the bids "not yet adequate", adding at least one of the bidders had expressed its readiness to improve its non-binding offer. Three sources with knowledge of the matter said KKR was willing to work further on its bid's terms. Italian last month said her right-wing administration would not intervene at this stage in the network sale process, although it is on alert to avoid any risk to the national interest. ($1 = 0.9081 euros)Reporting by Elvira Pollina and Juby Babu, Editing by Franklin PaulOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Sale of Italy's MPS should help create several big banks, says Meloni
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Monte dei Paschi (MPS), of which the government owns 64% following a 2017 bailout, is seen playing a pivotal role in the consolidation expected among Italy's mid-sized lenders. After failing to clinch a sale of MPS to UniCredit (CRDI.MI) in 2021, the government is expected to seek another bank interested in buying its stake in the Tuscan lender. The government has just decided to renew Luigi Lovaglio's mandate as MPS chief executive for another term. We confirmed Lovaglio at the helm of Monte dei Paschi, the CEO successfully led the last capital increase, and now we must work to bring Monte back to the private market," Meloni said. "The government will not intervene, it is alert to check that there are no situations that jeopardise the national interest," Meloni told the newspaper.

☆ Janet Yellen says U.S. economic competition with China must be 'fair to both sides'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

China has pivoted away from market reforms "toward a more state-driven approach that has undercut its neighbors and countries across the world," Yellen said. Her comments come as Washington, and the Republican-held House in particular, increase pressure on Beijing as part of a sustained U.S. backlash against China's economic tactics. WASHINGTON — The U.S. seeks healthy economic competition with China even as the country pursues intellectual property to gain an economic edge, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday. Hundreds of Chinese firms are listed on our stock exchanges, which are part of the deepest and most liquid capital markets in the world," Yellen said. Yellen vowed to partner with U.S. allies in countering China's "unfair economic practices" while advancing "our vision for an open, fair, and rules-based global economic order."

☆ Pakistan's finance minister opposes snap polls mandated by top court
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Asif Shahzad | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ISLAMABAD, April 10 (Reuters) - Provincial snap elections are not in Pakistan's national interest given its economic turmoil and security situation, the country's finance minister said on Monday, in defiance of an order by the country's supreme court. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday put forward a financial bill to seek a vote on whether to approve the election funding. "The country's economic, security and internal conditions demand that snap polls aren't in the national interest," he said in a televised speech to parliament. He suggested holding the elections together in all provinces and national seats, saying that would reduce logistics and security expenses. ($1 = 286.2500 Pakistani rupees)Reporting by Asif Shahzad; editing by John Stonestreet and Barbara LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Ukrainian troops are putting a Vietnam-era US anti-tank weapon into use against Russian armor
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Maya Carlin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ukrianian troops are using US-made TOW missiles against Russian armored vehicles in Ukraine. TOW missiles were first used by US troops in the Vietnam War and have been in service since then. Ukrainian troops are using an array of foreign-made anti-tank missiles against Russian forces. A US Army mockup of the Heavy Antitank Weapon, a project that led to the TOW missile, in 1964. The TOW missile in UkraineOn Monday, Ukraine Weapons Tracker tweeted footage depicting an M41A7 TOW HMMWV-mounted ITAS being fired by a Ukrainian soldier.

☆ Netanyahu suspends judicial overhaul after day of Israeli turmoil
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( James Mackenzie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/5] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a meeting at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, amid demonstrations after he dismissed the defence minister as his nationalist coalition government presses on with its judicial overhaul, in Jerusalem, March 27, 2023. REUTERS/Ronen ZvulunJERUSALEM, March 28 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paused his signature plan to overhaul Israel's judiciary after a day of nationwide turmoil when workers joined a general strike against the proposal and hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets. His dismissal by Netanyahu led thousands to take to the streets and Israel's President Isaac Herzog to urge a halt. An early rally in Israel's shekel currency fizzled out after Netanyahu suspended the overhaul with its eventual fate uncertain. While opposition parties gave a cautious welcome to Netanyahu's decision to suspend the overhaul to allow time to reach an agreement, many protesters remained mistrustful.

The country’s generous pension system and early retirement have long been a point of pride since they were enacted after World War II. Railway workers hold a banner reading "Until the withdrawal" during a demonstration a few days after the government forced the pension reform through parliament without a vote. Macron and his government have defended the retirement reform as necessary to keep the pension system funded. He also defended the decision to push through the reform as financially necessary, no matter how unpopular it was. Between opinion polls and the national interest, I chose the national interest,” Macron said.

☆ France pension reform protests turn violent following national day of action
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Aurore Laborie Dalal Mawad Oliver Briscoe Allegra Goodwin Pierre Bairin Helen Regan | Aurore Laborie | Dalal Mawad | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Paris CNN —More than a million people took to the streets across France on Thursday with protests turning violent in some areas as demonstrators voiced their fury at proposed pension reforms. At least 80 people were arrested and 123 police officers injured in France on Thursday during the nationwide protests, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said. The gate of the Bordeaux city hall after it was set on fire during a demonstration on a national day of action, on March 23 in Bordeaux, southwestern France. French riot police apprehend a protester amid clashes during a demonstration against pension reform in Paris on March 23, 2023. It rammed the legislation through the French National Assembly last week using a constitutional clause that allows the government to bypass a vote.

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