Mitch McConnell did not have stroke or seizure, Capitol doctor says
Guardian
23-09-05 16:36
Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the US Senate, has been cleared by the congressional physician of suffering from any serious health issues. Last week, McConnell experienced a second freeze in front of reporters, sparking concerns about his fitness to serve. The physician suggested that McConnell's symptoms may have been related to a concussion sustained in a fall or dehydration. McConnell's health has raised questions about the future of his role as Republican leader, as well as broader concerns about the age of political leaders. Public polling shows that many Americans believe their leaders are becoming too old, with majorities in favor of upper age limits.
SMIC under the spotlight for ‘breakthrough’ 5G chip in Huawei’s new smartphone
South China Morning Post
23-09-06 02:00
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) has come into the spotlight after a third-party teardown of Huawei's latest 5G smartphone indicated that the Chinese contract chip maker was behind its advanced processor. Speculation is growing that SMIC helped Huawei overcome US tech sanctions. SMIC's share price has gained nearly 20% in Hong Kong and 15% in Shanghai since Huawei launched presales of the Mate 60 Pro smartphone last week, as investors bet that the largest semiconductor foundry in China produced the Kirin 9000s chipset that powers the smartphone.
It’s Bad for the World When Xi Chooses Not to Show Up
Bloomberg
23-09-06 21:00
China's President Xi Jinping's decision to skip the recent Group of 20 (G-20) summit in India highlights China's growing nationalistic sentiment and its desire to assert its sovereignty. The release of an updated version of the Chinese world map, which included areas of India, the South China Sea, and Taiwan, further fueled tensions between China and other countries. The map, which added an extra dash to represent China's claims over Taiwan and encircle the land masses of its neighbors, prompted diplomatic responses from India and other nations. China's decision to skip the G-20 summit may also be related to India's increasing assertiveness in South Asia and its strategic competition with China in the region. Additionally, China may feel less welcome at the G-20 summit due to the closer ties between the US and India. China's self-imposed isolation and avoidance of multilateral forums represent a lost opportunity for engagement and cooperation on global issues.
Focus: How the Saudis became a top shareholder in Telefonica, Spain's telecoms giant
Reuters
23-09-07 18:31
Saudi Arabia's biggest telecoms operator, STC Group, has acquired a 9.9% stake in Spain's Telefonica as part of the Public Investment Fund's Vision 2030 project to reduce the country's reliance on oil. The deal is in line with STC's desire to develop digital cities in Saudi Arabia and to have access to technological know-how. The deal has also given Telefonica, burdened with debt and facing stiff competition, a much needed boost. Concerns have been raised in Spain about the growing influence of sovereign funds from nations such as Saudi Arabia.
With Malaysia’s Ahmad Zahid free, is 1MDB-plagued Najib Razak next?
South China Morning Post
23-09-08 01:30
Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has had corruption charges against him dropped, which has sparked fears that former prime minister Najib Razak, who was jailed for his part in the 1MDB scandal, may also be released. There are concerns that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is trying to appease his new allies who helped him gain power and he risks alienating his core support base. Supporters of Anwar's coalition have been critical of the decision to drop the charges against Zahid and have voiced their opposition to Najib's potential release.
China's yuan slides near 16-year low as economy struggles
Nikkei Asia
23-09-08 16:05
The yuan has fallen to its lowest level against the dollar in almost 16 years, due to the widening gap in interest rates between China and the US, and China's shrinking trade surplus. The spread between US and Chinese 10-year government bonds is currently at its widest since January 2007, and the surplus fell for a fourth straight month in August. China's weakening economy is leading the People's Bank of China to pursue a loose monetary policy, which is putting downward pressure on the currency.
Rahm Emanuel's protocol-busting China swipe stirs controversy
Japan Times
23-09-09 03:57
US diplomats have been caught making controversial comments about domestic politics in other countries, sparking debate about the appropriateness of such remarks. In one example, a US diplomat expressed support for a political candidate in a foreign country, while in another instance, a diplomat made derogatory comments about a foreign leader. These comments have raised questions about the role of diplomats and whether they should refrain from engaging in domestic politics in other countries. Some argue that diplomats should focus solely on representing US interests abroad, while others believe that they have a responsibility to speak out against human rights abuses and other injustices. The controversy highlights the delicate balance that diplomats must strike when it comes to engaging with the politics of other nations.
Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin meeting: What we know so far
Al Jazeera
23-09-11 13:31
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia, a development that analysts believe could lead to significant military deals between the two countries. There has been speculation about the meeting for several weeks, with reports suggesting that Kim was traveling to Russia aboard a special armoured train. The two leaders previously met in April 2019, and North Korea has openly supported Russia since its invasion of Ukraine last year. The meeting could result in North Korea providing Russia with ammunition, rocket systems, and short-range ballistic missiles, while Russia could offer grain, oil, and technology in return. The meeting is seen as part of Russia's efforts to prevent South Korea from supplying weapons to Ukraine.
Olivia Rodrigo shuts down rumours that she’s feuding with Taylor Swift
The Independent
23-09-12 16:47
Olivia Rodrigo has denied rumors of a feud with Taylor Swift in an interview with Rolling Stone. Rodrigo addressed the speculation surrounding her song "Vampire," which some believed was about her rumored feud with Swift. Rodrigo said she has no beef with anyone and that she keeps to herself. She also joked about the Twitter conspiracy theories, saying she only looks at alien conspiracy theories. Rodrigo has previously spoken about her admiration for Swift and the two have collaborated on music.
Putin and Kim sit down for talks at Russia's biggest domestic space launch center
The Toronto Star
23-09-13 05:49
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny cosmodrome on April 27. The leaders toured the space facility and then held talks, where Kim expressed interest in Russian rocket technology and sought technical assistance to develop military reconnaissance satellites. The meeting took place against the backdrop of North Korea's recent missile tests and Putin's ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Kim is also expected to seek economic aid and may engage in discussions about humanitarian aid with the Russian delegation.
Putin gives Kim Jong Un tour of rocket launch center as leaders meet
The Toronto Star
23-09-13 05:03
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin met at a Siberian rocket launch facility, with the location suggesting that Kim is seeking Russian technical assistance in his efforts to develop military reconnaissance satellites. North Korea has repeatedly failed to put its first military spy satellite into orbit in recent months. Kim is expected to seek economic aid and military technology from Russia, although an arms deal would violate international sanctions that Russia had supported. The meeting gives Putin an opportunity to refill ammunition stores that the 18-month-old war has drained, while for Kim it is a chance to get around crippling UN sanctions and years of diplomatic isolation. The meeting comes hours after North Korea fired two ballistic missiles towards the sea, extending a highly provocative run in North Korean weapons testing since the start of 2022.
US military resumes drone, crewed aircraft operations in post-coup Niger
Al Jazeera
23-09-14 05:46
The US military has resumed operations in Niger following a coup that took place in July. Approximately 1,100 US soldiers deployed in the country were confined to their bases after the coup removed President Mohamed Bazoum. Negotiations with the military rulers of Niger have resulted in some intelligence and surveillance missions resuming. The US is now flying both crewed and unmanned missions out of airbases in the country. Niger has become a primary outpost for US patrols with armed drones and other operations against fighters and rebel movements in the region. France, which supports the removed president, also has soldiers stationed in Niger. There is speculation that France may be forced to withdraw its military presence in the country.
Sunak under pressure over HS2 as he refuses to rule out more cuts
The Independent
23-09-14 11:15
Downing Street has refused to confirm that the HS2 railway line will run to Manchester, amid reports that ministers are considering scrapping the project’s second stage. Concerns about costs and delays have prompted a review of the northern phase. The Prime Minister’s spokesman said that work on the project was already underway and that the government was committed to HS2. However, he did not comment on whether the line would extend to Manchester.
HS2 route north of Birmingham in doubt as Sunak and Hunt explore more cost-cuts
Financial Times
23-09-14 13:29
The UK government has refused to commit to building the northern section of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail line between Birmingham and Manchester, sparking concerns about the future of the project. The potential cancellation of the section could save up to £34bn ($45bn). The cost of HS2 has risen significantly from its original budget of £33bn a decade ago and is now estimated to cost over £70bn. The government has made cuts to the project in an attempt to control costs, including scrapping part of the eastern leg between Birmingham and Leeds.
Government refuses to commit to Manchester HS2 leg
BBC
23-09-14 17:45
The UK government has refused to guarantee the future of the HS2 rail line between Birmingham and Manchester. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt have expressed concerns over the project's rising costs and delays. A Downing Street spokesperson said that ministers would need to balance the interests of passengers and taxpayers. There is speculation that the project may be delayed or rephased. The High Speed Rail Group warned that scrapping phase two would be a disaster for the North of England and the Midlands.
HS2 leg to Manchester faces axe as Rishi Sunak tries to save £35bn
Telegraph
23-09-14 17:13
The Manchester leg of the HS2 railway line may be cancelled as Chancellor Rishi Sunak considers plans to save £35bn ($45bn). Downing Street refused to guarantee that the high-speed link would reach the north of England after Prime Minister Boris Johnson held talks with the chancellor. A leaked document suggests that £2.3bn has already been spent on the second stage of the railway from Birmingham to Manchester, but that abandoning the phase could save up to £35bn. The HS2 line is intended to link London, the Midlands and the north of England but has been beset by delays and rising costs.
Labour casts fresh doubts over HS2 route north of Birmingham
Financial Times
23-09-17 13:36
The future of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project in the UK has been cast into further uncertainty as Labour's shadow Cabinet Office minister, Pat McFadden, refused to commit to building the northern section of the line to Manchester. McFadden stated that he wanted to see the revised price tag for HS2 later this year, adjusted for inflation, before recommitting to the project. The comments come after the government refused to commit to building the northern section of HS2 following a meeting to identify further potential savings. The estimated cost for the project has already more than doubled from the original budget of £33bn, and is expected to increase further when updated later this year.
Chechen strongman appears in new video amid coma rumours
South China Morning Post
23-09-18 02:38
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has released video footage in an apparent attempt to quash speculation about his health. There has been speculation for months that Kadyrov, who has been accused of running a "totalitarian regime", may be ill. In the videos, Kadyrov can be seen smiling and recommending that everyone practice sport. The footage was released following unconfirmed reports on social media that Kadyrov was in a coma. Kadyrov has been a supporter of Russia's offensive in Ukraine and has been accused of human rights abuses in Chechnya.
Republican Derrick Anderson to run for Democratic-controlled Virginia US House seat
The Toronto Star
23-09-18 20:05
Derrick Anderson, a U.S. Army combat veteran and attorney, has announced his plans to seek the Republican nomination for a Virginia congressional seat in the 7th District. Anderson previously sought the nomination in 2022, finishing as the runner-up. The current representative of the district, Abigail Spanberger, is speculated to run for Virginia governor in 2025, potentially leaving the seat open. Anderson is positioning himself as an outsider and pledges to fight for a balanced budget. The redistricting process for the 7th District was completed in 2021, and the district now includes the Interstate 95 corridor and rural communities.
In China’s Rock ’n’ Roll City, Music Fans Are Encouraged to Let Their Hair Down—But Not Too Much
Bloomberg
23-09-18 23:00
China has launched a three-month-long music festival, Rock Home Town, in the city of Shijiazhuang. The event is aimed at stimulating the economy but it also highlights the conflict between the official promotion of youth culture and the Communist Party's desire to control public behaviour. Authorities have a history of changing song lyrics to suit their own needs, and rock music is viewed with suspicion due to its association with rebellion and nihilism. The government has rewritten lyrics of the song “Kill the One From Shijiazhuang,” performed by the band Omnipotent Youth Society, to make it less critical of the city. The Communist Party has been promoting folk and popular culture since the 1930s, said Andrew Field, an associate professor at Duke Kunshan University in China. The festival has not been without problems, however. One performer, the lead singer of the band Violent Champagne, was detained and fined for removing his trousers during a performance and the authorities have cancelled other music festivals and events.
