France imposes curfew in New Caledonia
Paris, May 14: Authorities in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia announced a two-day curfew and banned gatherings on Tuesday after violent unrest on the vast archipelago with decades of tensions between indigenous Kanaks seeking independence and colonizers’ descendants who want to remain part of France. The French Interior Ministry announced that police reinforcements were being sent to the island that long served as a prison colony and now hosts a French military base. (AP)
Putin to visit China on Thursday
Beijing/Moscow, May 14: Days after being sworn in for a fifth term, Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China on Thursday on a two-day state visit to discuss with his close friend and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping the future course of their strategic alliance amid mounting pressure on Beijing to scale down its support to Moscow’s continuing war in Ukraine. At the invitation of Xi, Putin will pay a state visit to China from May 16 to 17, the first state visit since his new term as president began, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a media briefing here on Tuesday. Both leaders will exchange views on bilateral relations, cooperation in various fields, and international and regional issues of mutual interest in light of the 75th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic relations, he said. (PTI)
Biden plans to hike tariffs on Chinese products
Washington, May 14: The Biden administration announced plans to slap new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, advanced batteries, solar cells, steel, aluminum and medical equipment – an election year move that’s likely to increase friction between the world’s two largest economies. The tariffs come in the middle of a heated campaign between President Joe Biden and his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump, in which both candidates are vying to show who’s tougher on China. The tariffs are unlikely to have much of an inflationary impact because of how they’re structured. Administration officials said they think the tariffs won’t escalate tensions with China, yet they expect China will explore ways to respond to the new taxes on its products. It’s uncertain what the long-term impact on prices could be if the tariffs contribute to a wider trade dispute. (AP)
Indian national pleads guilty to attacking White House
Washington, May 14: A 20-year-old Indian national living in the US as a permanent resident has pleaded guilty to attacking the White House last year with a rented truck with the intent to replace the democratically elected government with a dictatorship fuelled by the ideology of Nazi Germany, according to a US attorney. Sai Varshith Kandula of St. Louis in Missouri on May 22 last year crashed a rented truck into the White House perimeter as he attempted to gain access to the White House to seize political power, according to the plea agreement. (PTI)