Chinese general takes a harsh line on Taiwan and other disputes at an international naval gathering
==========
Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, warned at the Western Pacific Navy Symposium in Qingdao that China would strike back with force if its interests came under threat. The meeting drew representatives from Australia, Cambodia, Chile, France, India, and the U.S. and focused on China's assertive actions in the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China seas. Zhang emphasized China's territorial claims, including the disputed Senkaku island chain and the South China Sea. He stated that China's territorial sovereignty cannot be challenged and that the Chinese military will defend the reunification and interests of the motherland. Zhang's comments align with Beijing's determination to take control of Taiwan, which it claims as its own territory. Taiwan has been building up its defenses with the help of the U.S., including $8 billion in military aid. Zhang also emphasized China's unilateralist approach to foreign relations and military conflicts, stating that China remains committed to resolving maritime disputes through friendly consultations but will not allow its good faith to be abused. Zhang's comments come after a major shakeup in the Chinese military, including the disappearance of former Defense Minister Li Shangfu and several top officers in the missile corps.
#China #Taiwan #TerritorialDisputes #NavalGathering #WesternPacificNavalSymposium
Chinese general takes a harsh line on Taiwan and other disputes at an international naval gathering
==========
Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, warned at the Western Pacific Navy Symposium in Qingdao that China would strike back with force if its interests came under threat. The meeting drew representatives from Australia, Cambodia, Chile, France, India, and the U.S. and focused on China's assertive actions in the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China seas. Zhang emphasized China's territorial claims, including the disputed Senkaku island chain and the South China Sea. He stated that China's territorial sovereignty cannot be challenged and that the Chinese military will defend the reunification and interests of the motherland. Zhang's comments align with Beijing's determination to take control of Taiwan, which it claims as its own territory. Taiwan has been building up its defenses with the help of the U.S., including $8 billion in military aid. Zhang also emphasized China's unilateralist approach to foreign relations and military conflicts, stating that China remains committed to resolving maritime disputes through friendly consultations but will not allow its good faith to be abused. Zhang's comments come after a major shakeup in the Chinese military, including the disappearance of former Defense Minister Li Shangfu and several top officers in the missile corps.
#China #Taiwan #TerritorialDisputes #NavalGathering #WesternPacificNavalSymposium
They fled Venezuela — and transformed D.C.’s food delivery scene
==========
Venezuelan immigrants have entered D.C.'s food delivery industry and filled the city's streets with mopeds. Many are among the nearly 8 million people who have fled Venezuela since 2014. Food delivery has become a lifeline for many of D.C.'s Venezuelans as they pursue asylum and work permits. The job offers more autonomy over their schedules and pay than other industries, but they face challenges such as lack of access to health insurance and expenses like renting food-delivery accounts and financing mopeds. Some D.C. residents have expressed frustration at what they say is erratic and unsafe behavior on the mopeds. The moped deliveries in D.C. began about two years ago and have evolved into a cottage industry fostered by word-of-mouth recommendations and mutual trust. The drivers earn about $4,000 each month and use the earnings to afford rent, support their families, and take English lessons. The drivers are seeking to formalize their work with the city and have proposed various measures to improve their working conditions. The city officials have been meeting with the drivers and their vendors to educate them about local traffic rules. The drivers hope for more support from the city to help them safely make a living without relying on government subsidies. Some local businesses have expressed concerns about the impact of moped deliveries on their business. The drivers have different aspirations, with some hoping to land better jobs or start their own businesses. The article highlights the stories of individual drivers and their journeys from Venezuela to the United States.
#Venezuela #Immigrants #FoodDelivery #Dc #Mopeds
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/04/22/moped-delivery-drivers-dc/
Far from home, three Afghan brothers find joy in lacrosse
==========
Alyas, Edrees, and Momtaz Nazari, three Afghan brothers, were forced to flee their homeland in 2021 when the US pulled its troops and the Taliban seized power. They settled in Maryland and joined the North County lacrosse team, finding solace and community in the sport. The brothers initially struggled to grasp the sport and relied on their coach's phone and Google translate to communicate. They are now fluent in English and have become integral members of the team. Lacrosse has provided them with a sense of belonging and happiness in their new home.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/04/21/north-county-lacrosse-brothers/
House approves Ukraine, Israel aid bills
==========
The House approved a $95 billion package of foreign aid bills that would provide funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The bills moved forward despite a far-right threat to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) if he advanced Ukraine aid. A rare coalition of Democrats and Republicans, led by Johnson, voted overwhelmingly to pass a procedural measure to advance the four-part legislation. The House voted separately on the four bills, with a fifth bill of GOP priorities to secure the border failing due to a two-thirds vote requirement. The foreign aid package will now go to the Senate for consideration before being sent to President Biden to be signed into law.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/04/20/house-vote-ukraine-israel-aid-johnson/
How to use Meta’s new AI chatbot that you can’t avoid
==========
Meta has introduced a new AI chatbot called Meta AI, which is rolling out to Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. The chatbot can be accessed through the search and messaging features in these apps and appears as a conversational chat window. It can generate AI images and answer questions. The AI chatbot is marked with a logo and can be found in the search bar or under posts in the feed. There is no way to turn off the chatbot completely, but it can be hidden in WhatsApp settings. Meta AI is primarily meant for fun and noncritical tasks, and users should not rely on it for medical advice or sensitive information. The chatbot saves conversations, but the data is anonymized. Other tech companies are also developing their own AI chatbots. Meta hopes that the chatbot can replace some human interaction on its aging platforms. Users should be cautious of misinformation and seek human sources for important information.
#Meta #AiChatbot #Facebook #Instagram #Messenger #Whatsapp
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/04/20/meta-ai-chatbot-how-to/
Rangers option rookie Jack Leiter 1 day after he allowed 7 runs in his major league debut
==========
Texas Rangers rookie right-hander Jack Leiter was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday, one day after allowing seven runs in his major league debut. Leiter, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft and son of Al Leiter, allowed seven runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings in Thursday's 9-7 win at the Detroit Tigers. He walked three and struck out three. The Rangers recalled right-hander Owen White from Round Rock to provide bullpen depth for the start of their weekend series against the Atlanta Braves.
Middle East conflict live updates: Explosions heard over Iranian province of Isfahan, local media reports
==========
Multiple flights over Iranian airspace were diverted early Friday as explosions were heard over the province of Isfahan. Tensions in the region are high following Iran's attack on Israel, which was in retaliation for an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria. The Biden administration voted against a UN Security Council resolution that aimed to extend full member status to a Palestinian state. A Hezbollah attack injured 18 Israeli soldiers, and Israeli strikes deeper into Lebanon have heightened fears of a broader conflict. The United States and its allies announced new sanctions on Iran to hold Tehran responsible for the attacks on Israel. The Biden administration plans to push for a full investigation into a UN report alleging abuse of detainees in Gaza by Israel Defense Forces personnel. The death toll in Gaza since the war began is at least 33,970, with 76,770 injured. Israel estimates that about 1,200 people were killed in Hamas's attack, including more than 300 soldiers. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has deep and complex roots, predating the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948.
#MiddleEast #Iran #Israel #Gaza #Palestine #Un #Hezbollah #Sanctions
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/18/israel-iran-hamas-war-news-gaza-palestine/
Prominent Baptist pastor in military-ruled Myanmar detained again hours after release from prison
==========
Prominent Baptist pastor Hkalam Samson, former head of the Kachin Baptist Convention and chairman of the Kachin National Consultative Assembly, was detained by the authorities just hours after he was released from prison under an amnesty by the military government. Kachin state, in northern Myanmar, has been the scene of intermittent warfare between the army and Kachin guerrillas. Samson had been warmly welcomed by family and friends outside the gate of the prison in the Kachin state capital, Myitkyina, when he was released early Wednesday afternoon. At around 10 p.m. Wednesday night, security forces and officials came to his home in the city and took him away. Samson's wife and a member of the Kachin-based Peace-talk Creation Group were also taken to Myitkyina prison. Samson is a prominent advocate of the human rights of ethnic and religious minorities in Myanmar and was detained in December 2022 and handed a six-year prison term in April last year. Human rights groups said minority religions, including Christians, have been significantly persecuted in Myanmar since the military takeover in 2021. Kachin guerrillas have played a large role in the resistance movement against military rule. In March, another Baptist pastor from the Kachin Baptist Convention was shot dead. The military government also announced that former leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved from prison to house arrest as a health measure due to a heat wave.
#Myanmar #BaptistPastor #Detention #HumanRights #KachinEthnicMinority
Middle East conflict live updates: U.S. plans Iran sanctions; U.K. says Israel looks set to respond to attack
==========
The United States and the European Union are planning fresh sanctions against Iran after its unprecedented attack. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said Israel is making a decision to act. Israel's war cabinet has been discussing a response to Iran's drone and missile barrage. Hezbollah carried out an attack against a military position in response to Israeli strikes. 12 people, including seven children, were killed in a strike in the Maghazi refugee camp. The United States plans to impose new sanctions to degrade Iran's military capacity. At least 33,899 people have been killed and 76,664 injured in Gaza since the war began. Israel estimates that about 1,200 people were killed in Hamas's attack, including more than 300 soldiers. The war between Israel and Hamas has gone on for several months and tensions have spilled into the surrounding region. The roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and mistrust are deep and complex, predating the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/17/israel-iran-hamas-war-news-gaza-palestine/
First Look with The Post’s Jonathan Capehart
==========
First Look with The Post’s Jonathan Capehart is a program offered by Washington Post Live that provides a smart, inside take on the day’s politics. It features a reporter debrief followed by a roundtable discussion with Washington Post columnists. The program will air on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. ET. The program aims to provide news and analysis that is unique and not available elsewhere. The hosts of the program are Jonathan Capehart, an Associate Editor at The Washington Post, and Ramesh Ponnuru, a Contributing Columnist at The Washington Post. The program will cover reporting and analysis from the Hill and the White House. Some of the latest news covered includes Biden's visit to Pennsylvania, the U.S. planning to levy sanctions against Iran over an attack on Israel, and the rise and fall of a tech-stock bubble within three weeks. The program is available on the Washington Post website.
First Look with The Post’s Jonathan Capehart
==========
First Look with The Post’s Jonathan Capehart is a program offered by Washington Post Live that provides a smart, inside take on the day’s politics. It features a reporter debrief followed by a roundtable discussion with Washington Post columnists. The program will air on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. ET. The program aims to provide news and analysis that is unique and not available elsewhere. The hosts of the program are Jonathan Capehart, an Associate Editor at The Washington Post, and Ramesh Ponnuru, a Contributing Columnist at The Washington Post. The program will cover reporting and analysis from the Hill and the White House. Some of the latest news covered includes Biden's visit to Pennsylvania, the U.S. planning to levy sanctions against Iran over an attack on Israel, and the rise and fall of a tech-stock bubble within three weeks. The program is available on the Washington Post website.
Biden wants to hike tariffs on Chinese steel as U.S. election looms
==========
President Biden plans to unveil new protections for the U.S. steel industry, including tripling the existing 7.5% tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum imports, pressuring Mexico to prevent China from shipping metals to the U.S., and launching an investigation of Chinese subsidies for its shipbuilding industry. The actions are aimed at combating unfair Chinese competition and shoring up Biden's political fortunes in battleground states. The investigation could lead to the imposition of fresh tariffs or other penalties on Chinese vessels. Biden's opponent, former President Trump, is also courting voters with economic nationalism. The mix of tariffs and investigations represents Biden's sharpest actions to date to prevent China from flooding global markets with low-cost goods. China's steel production is equal to roughly half of global demand, and its export prices are about 40% lower than what U.S. steelmakers charge. However, current Chinese imports amount to just 0.6% of total U.S. steel demand. The Biden administration expects the tariffs to have no significant effect since they apply to a limited set of goods.
#Biden #Tariffs #SteelIndustry #China #UsElection
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/04/17/biden-steel-china-tariff-election/
NASA confirms metal object that struck Fla. home was space station junk
==========
A metal object that fell through the roof of a home in Naples, Florida, last month was debris from a pallet of trash NASA released into space three years ago. The 1.6-pound cylindrical object was part of a 5,800-pound collection of old nickel hydride batteries released from the International Space Station in March 2021. NASA is still investigating how the debris survived reentry into Earth's atmosphere. The homeowner, Alejandro Otero, had contacted his insurance company about fixing his house, but it's unclear whether he has been able to repair the damage or sought compensation. The liability for damage caused by objects reentering Earth's atmosphere falls on the launching state, but this case involving a civilian-owned property has little precedent.
#Nasa #SpaceDebris #Florida #InternationalSpaceStation
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/04/16/nasa-space-debris-florida/
Transcript: The State of the U.S. Economy
==========
The transcript is a discussion between Catherine Rampell, Natasha Sarin, and Larry Summers about the state of the U.S. economy and tax policy. Natasha Sarin recently launched The Budget Lab at Yale Law School, aiming to develop a more holistic analysis of the costs and benefits of different policy changes. Larry Summers supports the $80 billion investment in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to improve tax collection and enforcement. They discuss the need for tax policy to reduce wealth inequality, the expiration of the Trump era tax cuts, and the importance of raising taxes to address the fiscal situation of the country. They also mention the potential role of the IRS in facilitating Americans' ability to file taxes and the need for the IRS to focus on collecting taxes owed and providing service to taxpayers. They express concerns about the decrease in IRS investments and the potential impact on equity and services.
#UsEconomy #TaxPolicy #Irs #WealthInequality
https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live/2024/04/16/transcript-state-us-economy/
Transcript: The State of the U.S. Economy
==========
The transcript is a discussion between Catherine Rampell, Natasha Sarin, and Larry Summers about the state of the U.S. economy and tax policy. Natasha Sarin recently launched The Budget Lab at Yale Law School, aiming to develop a more holistic analysis of the costs and benefits of different policy changes. Larry Summers supports the $80 billion investment in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to improve tax collection and enforcement. They discuss the need for tax policy to reduce wealth inequality, the expiration of the Trump era tax cuts, and the importance of raising taxes to address the fiscal situation of the country. They also mention the potential role of the IRS in facilitating Americans' ability to file taxes and the need for the IRS to focus on collecting taxes owed and providing service to taxpayers. They express concerns about the decrease in IRS investments and the potential impact on equity and services.
#UsEconomy #TaxPolicy #Irs #WealthInequality
https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live/2024/04/16/transcript-state-us-economy/
Stock market today: World shares track slump on Wall St triggered by strong US spending data
==========
World shares skidded following a slump on Wall Street after a report showed American shoppers spent more at retailers last month than expected. U.S. futures edged 0.1% lower early Tuesday. In Europe, Germany’s DAX lost 1.4% to 17,767.98 while the CAC 40 in Paris declined 1.2% to 7,945.68. In London, the FTSE 100 was down 1.5% at 7,848.89. The Chinese government reported that the economy grew at a surprisingly fast 5.3% annual rate in the first quarter of the year. The Shanghai Composite index lost 1.7% to 3,007.07, while the Hang Seng in Hong Kong lost 2.1% to 16,248.97. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.9% to 38,471.20. The euro was unchanged at $1.0626. In the oil market, a barrel of U.S. crude for May delivery slipped 41 cents to $85.00 per barrel. Brent crude shed 34 cents to $89.76 per barrel.
#StockMarket #WorldShares #WallStreet #UsSpendingData
This might be Trump’s most inflationary, economically destructive idea yet
==========
Trump's policy team is reportedly scheming to devalue the U.S. dollar, with the objective of boosting U.S. exports and reducing imports. However, deliberately weakening the dollar could have disastrous consequences, including higher prices for American consumers and a potential global recession. Weakening the dollar also threatens its role as the world's reserve currency, eroding the dollar's global use and potentially making it more expensive for the U.S. government to borrow. Additionally, there is a risk of trade or currency wars with other countries. Overall, this idea is seen as one of Trump's worst and most destructive.
#DonaldTrump #UsDollar #Inflation #Economy #Exports #Imports #GlobalRecession #ReserveCurrency #TradeWars #CurrencyWars
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/04/16/trump-devalue-dollar-inflation-economy/
N.Y. trial’s focus on tawdry scandal could underscore Trump’s weakness with women
==========
The New York trial of former president Donald Trump is set to revisit the scandal that rocked his 2016 run, potentially highlighting his weakness with women. Prosecutors plan to present evidence related to the 'Access Hollywood' scandal and allegations of sexual misconduct against Trump. They also want to reference a previous hush money scheme with a Playboy model, Karen McDougal. The prosecutors argue that Trump's motivation for paying hush money to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels was to avoid another damaging revelation about an alleged affair. Polls show that a majority of voters view the charges as serious, particularly women. However, some strategists believe that the New York case is the least damaging against Trump and that further attention to his character may not significantly impact voters. The trial is ongoing.
#DonaldTrump #Trial #Scandal #Women #HushMoney
https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2024/04/15/trump-trial-scandal-access-hollywood/