News Wire | August 5, 2022 Archive

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China Sends Ships and Planes Toward Taiwan, Despite Rising Criticism

By Jane Perlez & Mike Ives | The New York Times

China sent warships and aircraft into waters and airspace near Taiwan on Friday despite growing international criticism of its military exercises, including a call from Japan’s leader to stop them immediately.

More from WPR: China’s Response to Pelosi’s Taiwan Visit Is Rewriting the Playbook

Russia Turns to Turkey, Other Trading Partners to Blunt Sanctions’ Impact

By Catherine Belton & Kareem Fahim | The Washington Post

Russia is turning to Turkey and other potential new trading partners as it tries to circumvent Western sanctions that are starting to bite even deeper into its economy following its invasion of Ukraine.

China Halts High-Level Military Dialogue With U.S., Suspends Other Cooperation

Reuters

China is halting cooperation with the United States in a number of areas, including dialogue between senior-level military commanders and climate talks, in retaliation for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, it said Friday.

As Monkeypox Spreads, U.S. Declares a Health Emergency

By Sheryl Gay Stolberg & Apoorva Mandavilli | The New York Times

The Biden administration Thursday declared the growing monkeypox outbreak a national health emergency, a rare designation signaling that the virus now represents a significant risk to Americans and setting in motion new measures aimed at containing the threat.

Senegal: Governing Coalition Loses Legislative Majority

By Nick Roll | Al Jazeera (free)

After a tense few days of waiting for a winner in Sunday’s legislative elections, provisional results released showed President Macky Sall’s governing coalition lost its majority in a poll pitched by opposition groups as a referendum on his policies and potential third-term aspirations.

More from WPR: The ‘Senegalese Exception’ Loses Its Luster

Russia to Launch Spy Satellite for Iran but Use It First Over Ukraine

By Joby Warrick & Ellen Nakashima | The Washington Post

A new satellite that Russia is preparing to launch on Iran’s behalf next week will greatly enhance Tehran’s ability to spy on military targets across the Middle East—but first, Moscow intends to use the spacecraft to assist its own war effort in Ukraine, according to Western security officials familiar with the matter.

Brittney Griner Is Sentenced to Nine Years in a Russian Penal Colony

The New York Times

President Biden called the sentence “unacceptable” and vowed to pursue all avenues to bring the American basketball star home. Her case has become mired in the conflict between Moscow and Washington over Ukraine.

Peru’s Castillo Forced to Stay in Country as Cabinet Crisis Continues

Reuters

Peru’s Congress on Thursday forced President Pedro Castillo to stay in the country this week as he navigates a leadership crisis, without a prime minister and with a new Cabinet expected to be sworn in Friday.

More from WPR: Peru Is Tired of Castillo’s On-the-Job Training

U.S. Bolsters Aid for Cambodia Amid Efforts to Ease Global Food Crisis

By Edward Wong | The New York Times

The United States will give $25 million in agriculture development aid over five years to projects in Cambodia to help alleviate food insecurity, an issue made more urgent by Russia’s war in Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday.

White House Summons Chinese Ambassador for Rebuke on Taiwan Response

By Yasmeen Abutaleb | The Washington Post

The White House summoned China’s ambassador Thursday to condemn Beijing’s escalating actions against Taiwan and reiterate that the United States does not want a crisis in the region, after a visit to the island by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sharply escalated tensions in the Taiwan Strait this week.

U.N. Experts Say Rwanda Provided Military Support to M23 Rebels in Eastern Congo

Reuters (free)

A United Nations Group of Experts said it has “solid evidence” that Rwandan troops have been fighting alongside the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and providing it with weapons and support.

More from WPR: The Congo-Rwanda Border Conflict Gets a Reprieve—For Now

Papua New Guinea PM Says He Can Form a Government as Vote Counting Continues

Reuters

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape said his party has the numbers to form a coalition government, after a national poll plagued by violence, fraud allegations and large numbers of voters missing from the electoral roll.

More from WPR: In Papua New Guinea’s Elections, It’s Familiar Faces—and Problems

Colombia’s Next Defense Minister Faces ‘a Hell of a Fight’

By Daniela Diaz Rangel & Joshua Collins | Al Jazeera (free)

Ivan Velasquez has gone head-to-head with drug lord Pablo Escobar, local paramilitaries and disgraced Guatemalan politicians.

More from WPR: Petro and Colombia’s Armed Forces Are Heading for a Showdown

Italy Finalizes Justice Reform to Help Unlock EU Funding

Reuters

Italy’s outgoing government approved Thursday a decree to reform the country’s notoriously slow criminal justice system, according to government officials, paving the way for the finalization of a broader reform needed to keep European Union funds flowing.

South Korea Launches First Lunar Orbiter as Space Bid Gathers Pace

By Hyonhee Shin | Reuters

South Korea launched its first lunar orbiter Friday as it doubles down on its space programs, aiming to land a probe on the moon by 2030.

Solomon Islands Takes Tighter Control Over State Broadcaster

By Nick Perry | Associated Press (free)

The government of the Solomon Islands has taken tighter control over the nation’s state-owned broadcaster—a move that opponents say is squarely aimed at controlling and censoring the news.

Italy, Intel Close to $5 Billion Deal for Chip Factory

By Giuseppe Fonte & Giulio Piovaccari | Reuters

Italy is close to clinching a deal initially worth $5 billion with Intel to build an advanced semiconductor packaging and assembly plant in the country, two sources briefed on discussions told Reuters Thursday.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister to Tour African States, Zelensky Says

Reuters

Ukraine’s foreign minister will make a tour of African states this autumn, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday.

More from WPR: Africa Opposes the Ukraine War. It’s Abstaining From Great Power Rivalry

Argentina: New Economy Chief Met by Market, Political Doubts

By Almudena Calatrava | Associated Press (free)

The market welcomed Argentina’s new Economy Minister Sergio Massa on Thursday with what appeared to be a cautiously optimistic attitude amid questions about how he would fulfill a key goal of reducing the fiscal deficit, while leftist groups criticized his initial plans they said would inevitably lead to austerity measures.

South Sudan Again Delays Its First Election, Until Late 2024

By Deng Machol | Associated Press (free)

Parties to the peace deal ending South Sudan’s devastating civil war have again delayed the country’s first elections since independence by extending the transitional period by two years. The vote meant for early next year has been pushed to December 2024.

South Sudan’s Kiir Sacks Finance Minister, Central Bank Governor

Reuters

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has removed the finance minister and central bank governor from their posts, a decree read on state-run television said.

Airbus Axes Remaining A350 Jet Deal With Qatar Airways

By Tim Hepher | Reuters

Airbus has revoked its entire outstanding order from Qatar Airways for A350 jets, severing all new jetliner business with the Gulf carrier in a dramatic new twist to a dispute clouding World Cup preparations, two industry sources said.

Israel Sends Reinforcements to Gaza Border as Tensions Rise

Associated Press (free)

The Israeli military said Thursday it is sending additional forces to the area around the Gaza Strip as it braces for possible attacks after the arrest of a senior militant in the West Bank this week.

China Stresses Ties With Southeast Asia in Cambodia Meeting

By David Rising | Associated Press (free)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed his country’s efforts to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian countries at a meeting Thursday with their foreign ministers, which came as Beijing seeks to expand its influence in the region.

Can Russia Divide Europe?

By Nathalie Tocci | Foreign Affairs

Why a false peace could be worse than a long war.

In Sri Lanka, the Military Still Runs the Show

By Viruben Nandakumar | Foreign Policy

The international community has a part to play in ending its culture of impunity.

More from WPR: Rajapaksa’s Gone, but Sri Lanka’s Crisis Is Far from Over

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