International

Blinken asks China not to “help” Russia with the supply of Defense components

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, asked Beijing this Friday not to “help Russia” and not to provide it with components that could be used in its war against Ukraine.

“I have made it clear in the meetings that China cannot help Russia by providing electronic, mechanical, electromechanical components and other types of Defense technology,” Blinken said at a press conference at the end of his visit to the Asian country, during which he met today with his counterpart, Wang Yi, and with the country’s president, Xi Jinping.

The diplomat told Russia “it will be difficult for him to maintain his military effort without the help of China and did not rule out with sanctions Chinese companies that provide equipment to Moscow.

Since the outset of the war in Ukraine, China has maintained an ambiguous position within which it has asked for respect for “the territorial integrity of all countries,” including Ukraine, and attention to the “legitimate concerns of all countries,” in reference to Russia.

Likewise, Beijing has denied that it has sold weapons to Russia and assures that it maintains a “normal” trade relationship with Moscow.

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However, US officials have warned in recent weeks that Chinese companies are helping the Russian arms industry by selling equipment that could be used for the production of ballistic missiles.

“It’s about defending the security of Ukraine but also that of the whole of Europe,” Blinken said when referring to this issue, which threatens to tarnish relations between Washington and Beijing despite the fact that, according to the American, “relations have made progress in recent months.”

Thus, Blinken welcomed the re-establishment of communications between the military or in the fight against narcotics, and indicated that, in their meetings with Wang, both bet on “strengthening the lines of communication” to “address differences responsibly and thus avoid misperceptions or miscalculation.”

The American diplomat also pointed out that both countries will hold their first talks on Artificial Intelligence in the coming weeks “because of the security risks it entails” and that the two countries are willing to increase exchanges “to improve understanding.”

Blinken also referred to the South China Sea, and assured that the United States has to “guarantee freedom of navigation,” something that “is not only critical for countries such as the Philippines but for any other nation in the Pacific and the world.”

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“We have shown our concern about China’s maneuvers in that sea. The United States seeks a de-escalation, but will maintain its security commitments,” he said in reference to the mutual defense treaty between Washington and Manila.

Blinken also said that he transferred Wang Yi that he hopes that China can “use its influence” in countries such as Iran or North Korea so that they show a willingness to dialogue on regional issues.

International

Trump signs order to end federal funding for NPR and PBS

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to halt federal funding for two public media outlets, PBS television and NPR radio, accusing them of being biased.

NPR and PBS are partially funded by American taxpayers but rely heavily on private donations.

Trump has long maintained a hostile relationship with most media outlets, which he has referred to as the “enemy of the people.”

An exception is the conservative Fox News channel, some of whose hosts have played important roles in the administration of the Republican magnate.

“National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) receive taxpayer funding through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB),” Trump said.

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“Therefore, I direct the CPB board and all executive departments and agencies to cease federal funding for NPR and PBS,” he added.

The Republican leader argued that “neither of these entities provides a fair, accurate, or impartial portrayal of current events to the taxpayer citizens.”

At the end of March, Donald Trump called on Congress to end public funding for these two “horrible and completely biased networks.”

International

Man arrested after deliberately driving into seven children in Osaka

Japanese police arrested a man on Thursday after he rammed his car into a group of seven schoolchildren in an apparent deliberate attack in the city of Osaka.

The children, who were on their way home from school, sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. All seven remained conscious, according to local authorities.

An Osaka police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the suspect is a 28-year-old man from Tokyo. The officer shared statements the man made after his arrest: “I was fed up with everything, so I decided to kill people by driving into several elementary school children,” the suspect reportedly said.

The man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

The injured children, aged between seven and eight, included a seven-year-old girl who suffered a fractured jaw. The six other children—all boys—suffered minor injuries such as bruises and scratches and were undergoing medical evaluation.

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Witnesses described the car as “zigzagging” before hitting the children. One witness told Nippon TV that a girl was “covered in blood” and the others appeared to have scratches.

Another witness said the driver, who was wearing a face mask, looked to be in shock when school staff pulled him from the vehicle.

Violent crimes are rare in Japan, though serious incidents do occur from time to time. In 2008, Tomohiro Kato drove a two-ton truck into pedestrians in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, then fatally stabbed several victims. Seven people were killed in that attack.

Internacionales

Clashes erupt during may day protests across France amid calls for better wages

May Day protests in France were marked by a heavy police presence and clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement in several cities.

In Paris, Lyon, and Nantes, thousands took to the streets to demand better wages, fairer working conditions, and to voice their dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron’s government.

While the majority of the demonstrations remained peaceful, isolated confrontations broke out in some areas. Protesters threw objects at the police, prompting the use of tear gas and resulting in several arrests.

Videos showing police crackdowns circulated widely on social media, drawing criticism from labor unions and human rights advocates, who denounced the authorities’ response to the protests.