China and Saudi Arabia Sign Strategic Partnership as Xi Visits Kingdom

By Vivian Nereim | The New York Times

Saudi Arabia and China signed a strategic partnership agreement Thursday during a visit by the Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the kingdom, underlining the growing ties between Beijing and a longstanding American ally that is seeking greater self-reliance.

More from WPR: The U.S. Should Avoid the ‘China Trap’ in the Middle East

New Peru President Vows to Finish Term, Others Want Election

By Franklin Briceño | Associated Press (free)

Peru’s first female president is pushing to cement her hold on power, saying she expects to complete the term of her ousted predecessor and buck the trend of presidential failures blighting the Andean nation.

Far-Right Group Suspected in German Plot Gained Strength From QAnon

By Katrin Bennhold & Erika Solomon | The New York Times

The Reichsbürger movement accused of plotting to overthrow Germany’s government picked up momentum from conspiracy theories that grew during the pandemic.

More from WPR: For Germany, Far-Right Extremism Is a Problem From Hell

U.S. House Passes $858 Billion Defense Bill With Weapons Funding for Taiwan

By Demetri Sevastopulo | Financial Times

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a sweeping $858 billion defense spending bill that provides $10 billion to fund the provision of weapons to Taiwan as the country comes under increasing pressure from China.

More from WPR: China’s Saber-Rattling Won’t Make Taiwan Shift Course

U.S. to Levy Human-Rights Sanctions on Russia, China

By Vivian Salama & Ian Talley | The Wall Street Journal

The U.S. is set to levy fresh sanctions against Russia and China on Friday, actions that include targeting Russia’s deployment of Iranian drones in Ukraine, alleged human-rights abuse by both nations and Beijing’s support of alleged illegal fishing in the Pacific, according to officials familiar with the matter.