A loan from frozen Russian assets. And then the clashes in Argentina over Milei’s law, the hottest heat ever in Europe. Israel on the UN blacklist, the new immigration law in Japan and the enormous rare earth deposit discovered in Norway. Here are the facts of the week
G7, agreement for Ukraine
«There is a deal»: G7 leaders have decided to use frozen Russian assets to raise $50 billion for Ukraine with the aim of supporting it in countering the Russian invasion. During the joint press conference that took place during the Summit in Puglia, the President of the United States Joe Biden he stressed that this is another reminder to Russia: “We will not surrender.” Moscow threatened “extremely painful” retaliatory measures. The money will not arrive before the end of the year but the agreement is seen as a long-term solution, important for the Ukrainian economy. Also during the G7 summit the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and Biden signed a bilateral (ten-year) agreement between Ukraine and the United States, for security. It provides for US military and training aid to Kiev but does not commit Washington to sending troops to fight for its ally.
Gaza, this ceasefire agreement is also at a standstill
“An agreement on the ceasefire in Gaza will not be reached soon, but I have not lost hope,” US President Biden said during the meeting of G7 leaders in Puglia. Which, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters, support the commitment to the ceasefire in Gaza and promote the two-state solution. The ceasefire agreement under discussion is the one presented by the United States for Israel, a resolution also approved by the UN on June 10. Second a Hamas source the American proposal does not envisage a sustainable ceasefire, nor a complete withdrawal of Israel from the Gaza Strip, in addition to the absence of a timetable on the interconnection between the three phases. While negotiations continue, however, the aggression on Gaza does not stop, the bombing of Rafah and other cities along the Strip continues, and the number of victims continues to rise. And tension is also rising between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Argentina, violent clashes over Milei’s law
«The homeland is not sold, the homeland defends itself»: on 12 June in Buenos Aires, Argentina, there were violent clashes between the police and demonstrators protesting against the basic law, discussed (and then approved) in the same hours in the Senate (it will now return to the House). According to local media, the clashes were very heated and there were dozens of injuries. The law bases is a vast and much discussed series of reforms from the beginning, desired by the ultra-liberal president Javier Mileswhich among other things provides for electoral reform, cuts to public subsidies, privatization of companies. And increased penalties for those who organize demonstrations.
Climate, it’s hotter than ever for 12 months
May was the 12th month in which the average global temperature reached a record value compared to the previous corresponding months: it was 1.52 degrees higher than the average for the period 1850-1900. This was made known by C3S, Copernicus Climate Change Service, the EU Commission’s climate change observation programme: “It’s shocking, but not surprising,” said Carlo Buontempo, the director of C3S. «Our planet is trying to tell us something. But it seems that we are not listening”, commented the UN secretary general, António Guterres.
Israel, on the UN blacklist
The UN has put Israel on the black list of countries and armed groups that have committed serious violations against children in war areas: in addition to the IDF, Hamas and Islamic jihad are also part of the list. The decision immediately sparked the anger of the Israeli leadership. Which, in the meantime, falls apart: the leader of the National Unity Party and main opponent of Benjamin Netanyahu, Benny Gantzresigned from the War Cabinet and his party from the governing coalition.
Japan, new immigration law
Japan’s new immigration law, which took effect June 10, makes it easier to deport migrants seeking refugee status. And who could be deported after the second rejected application. The new package of rules worries human rights organizations about possible violations, in particular against those fleeing from crisis and conflict situations. Japan, at the same time, is trying to attract more foreign workers to counteract population decline.
Norway’s largest rare earth deposit discovered
It was identified in the South-East of Norway, more precisely in Fensfeltet depot, the largest rare earth deposit in Europe, according to estimates developed after three years of drilling and analysis by the Norwegian mining group Ren, in collaboration with the Canadian consultancy company Wsp. The deposit may contain approximately 8.8 million tons of total rare earth oxidesprecious materials to produce the technologies necessary for the green and digital transition.
USA, new nuclear strategies
“Absent a change in adversary arsenals, we may reach a point in the coming years where an increase from current deployed numbers will be necessary. We have to be prepared,” he said Pranay Vaddi, official of the US National Security Council. Thus, to counter growing threats from Russia, China, and other adversaries, the United States could develop a new strategy for deploying nuclear weapons.
China, boom in local fast food outlets
Western fast food chains also once dominated China. In the People’s Republic there are in fact 10 thousand KFCs, seven thousand Starbucks, six thousand McDonald’s. But today the situation is changing: as the Economist explains, international fast food sales are declining, while the number of people buying food and drinks from local ones is growing. Including Tastien, which fills burgers with local delicacies like Peking duck. And which has opened 1,600 new stores in the last six months. Or Wallace, a hamburger restaurant with more than 20 thousand points of sale.
