Tag Archives: Russia

The New York Times — Wednesday, Sept 20, 2023

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Biden Aides and Saudis Explore Defense Treaty Modeled After Asian Pacts

President Biden and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia last year. U.S. officials have made numerous trips to the kingdom since May as part of the push on normalization.

Despite U.S. fatigue over Middle East wars, the White House sees a security agreement resembling those with Japan or South Korea as an incentive for Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel.

Biden, in U.N. Speech, Calls for Action on Ukraine and Other Crises

President Biden addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

As other major leaders skipped the annual opening session of the General Assembly, Mr. Biden used his address to try to counter war fatigue both at home and abroad.

Anti-Affirmative Action Group Sues West Point Over Admissions Policy

The Supreme Court ruling barring race-conscious admissions at civilian colleges should apply to the U.S. Military Academy as well, the lawsuit argues.

Canada’s Startling Claim Punctuates Tension With India Over Separatists

The allegation that India was involved in the killing of a Sikh leader in Canada came after New Delhi had accused Western countries of inaction on secessionist groups.

News: Conflict In The South Caucasus, Sahel Region, EU ‘Inner Circle’

The Globalist Podcast (September 20, 2023) – Is the South Caucasus heading for war? Plus: an update on the Sahel region, France and Germany desire a new ‘inner circle’, and we go troll hunting in America.

News: World Leaders At U.N., Iran-US Prisoner Swap, India-Canada Tensions

The Globalist Podcast (September 19, 2023) – Will the UN General Assembly step up its action on climate change?

We also discuss the Iran-US prisoner swap, the latest on the conflict in Sudan and Justin Trudeau’s claim that the Indian government was involved in the killing of a Sikh leader on Canadian soil. Plus: why are young Germans among the unhappiest in Europe?

The New York Times — Tuesday, Sept 19, 2023

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Iran Releases 5 Americans as U.S. Unfreezes Billions in Oil Revenue for Tehran

The terms of the deal have generated intense criticism from Republicans, even as the White House insists Iran will be prevented from spending the money on anything except humanitarian goods.

In U.S., Zelensky Will Make Case for More Aid, and Offer Thanks

Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, after he addressed Congress in December.

The Ukrainian leader’s second trip to America comes at a more delicate diplomatic moment, as he tries to navigate political currents while expressing gratitude for Western support.

Strike Is a High-Stakes Gamble for Autoworkers and the Labor Movement

Experts on unions and the industry said the U.A.W. strike could accelerate a wave of worker actions, or stifle labor’s recent momentum.

In Moscow, the War Is Background Noise, but Ever-Present

Muscovites go about their daily lives with little major disruption. But the war’s effects are evident — in the stores, at the movies and in the increasingly repressive environment.

News: Ukraine Military Gains With Drone Strikes, Kim Jong-Un Exits Russia

The Globalist Podcast (September 18, 2023) – Ukrainian forces make gains in the east as the country’s domestic drone production ramps up.

Plus: takeaways from Kim Jong-un’s extended visit to Russia, Greece’s new opposition leader and tourism in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.

The New York Times — Monday, Sept 18, 2023

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Biden to Target Industrial Pollution in a 2nd Term, if He Gets One

Steel production at a facility in Indiana. President Biden would take aim at heavy polluting industries that have never had restrictions on carbon emissions in a second term.

If the president wins re-election, his climate team is likely to try to cut greenhouse gases from steel, cement and other hard-to-clean-up manufacturing.

Climate Protesters March on New York, Calling for End to Fossil Fuels

Protest organizers used Sunday’s event to send a message to President Biden as he begins his push for re-election: Do more if you want our votes.

Ahead of U.N. meetings this week, thousands gathered in Midtown to demand that President Biden and other world leaders stop new oil and gas drilling.

As Junta Tightens Grip, Niger Is Being Strangled by Sanctions

Border closures and a freeze on financial transactions imposed after soldiers seized power are hurting millions, while Western nations remain divided over what to do.

In Ukraine, a Rosh Hashana Party Not Even War Can Stop

Every year, thousands of followers of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov descend on the town of Uman to worship, dance and pay homage at the tomb of their spiritual leader.

The New York Times — Sunday, September 17, 2023

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In Risky Hunt for Secrets, U.S. and China Expand Global Spy Operations

The nations are taking bold steps in the espionage shadow war to try to collect intelligence on leadership thinking and military capabilities.

Dire Warnings About Libya Dams Went Unheeded

Derna, Libya, has been devastated by flooding from storms this week, which washed swaths of the city into the sea.

“The state wasn’t interested,” said an engineer who published a paper on why Derna’s dams, after decades of postponed repairs, might fail under the stress of a powerful storm.

World’s Largest ‘Baby Exporter’ Confronts Its Painful Past

South Korean adoptees have been returning to the country to hold the government accountable for what they call a corrupt adoption system that went largely unchanged until recent decades.

Texas Attorney General Is Acquitted in Landmark Senate Trial

Senators voted largely on party lines against conviction of the attorney general, Ken Paxton, who had been impeached on charges of corruption and abuse of office.

Saturday Morning: News And Stories From London

Monocle on Saturday, September 16, 2023: A look at the week’s news and culture with Georgina Godwin.

Plus: Terry Stiastny joins us for a look through the morning’s papers, while Monocle’s Julia Lasica takes a look at Ukraine Institute London’s film festival ending this Sunday featuring the ground-breaking documentary, 20 Days in Mariupol.

The New York Times — Saturday, Sept 16, 2023

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U.A.W. Starts Strike Small, but Repercussions Could Prove Far-Reaching

Workers outside a plant hold up signs that read, “UAW; Stand Up; Record Profits; Record Contracts.”

The union targeted three factories: one run by General Motors, one by Ford and one by Stellantis. Prolonged walkouts could hurt the U.S. economy and President Biden.

‘A Ticket to Disney’? Politicians Charge Millions to Send Migrants to U.S.

The journey into the jungle begins, led by a guide from the New Light Darién Foundation.

The Biden administration vowed to “end the illicit movement” of people through the Darién jungle. But the number of migrants moving through the forest has never been greater — and the profits are too big to pass up.

Biden Defends Striking Autoworkers: They Deserve a ‘Fair Share’

White House aides believe the battle between the car companies and their workers underscores many of the president’s policy positions.

Fernando Botero, Artist of Whimsical Rotundity, Is Dead at 91

His voluptuous figures, both in paintings and in sculpture, portrayed the high and mighty as well as everyday people through an enlarging prism.

Previews: The Economist Magazine – Sept 16, 2023

All weekly editions | The Economist

The Economist Magazine (September 16, 2023): The latest issue reviews How AI can revolutionize science; Donald Trump will “never” support Putin, says Volodymyr Zelensky; The hard right is getting closer to power all over Europe, and more…

How artificial intelligence can revolutionise science

Consider the historical precedents

Debate about artificial intelligence (ai) tends to focus on its potential dangers: algorithmic bias and discrimination, the mass destruction of jobs and even, some say, the extinction of humanity. As some observers fret about these dystopian scenarios, however, others are focusing on the potential rewards. ai could, they claim, help humanity solve some of its biggest and thorniest problems. And, they say, ai will do this in a very specific way: by radically accelerating the pace of scientific discovery, especially in areas such as medicine, climate science and green technology.

Modi’s “one India” goal is good for the economy, but not for politics

Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, presides over the closing session of the G20 Summit

In the next decade regional tensions will build in India

The world has been seeing the bright side of India. In August it landed a spacecraft on the Moon. In the latest quarter gdp grew at an annual rate of 7.8%, making it the world’s perkiest big economy. Narendra Modi, the prime minister, has just hosted a g20 summit where other leaders, including Joe Biden, courted Asia’s rising behemoth. Yet inside India the talk has turned to whether Mr Modi’s hunger for power and dreams of national renewal could lead him to bend the constitution.