Around the World in 5 – 15
“Time and Nemesis will do that which I would not, were it in my power remote or immediate. You will smile at this piece of prophecy - do so, but recollect it: it is justified by all human experience. No one was ever even the involuntary cause of great evils to others, without a requital: I have paid and am paying for mine - so will you.”
As riots continue to escalate in California following President Trump’s deployment of Marines, Tuesday, 10 June also saw US and Chinese delegations enter the second day of trade negotiations in London. Held at Lancaster House near Buckingham Palace, Washington’s primary concern centred on access to rare earth materials. This follows their meeting in Geneva last month, where both nations agreed to a 90-day suspension of 100%-plus tariffs. China controls 70% of the global mining supply chain and 90% of refining processes for these materials, which are vital to the US vehicle and defence sectors. The hosting UK government, though not a party to the talks, responded to the ongoing dialogue by stating, “We are a nation that champions free trade and have always been clear that a trade war is in nobody’s interests, so we welcome these talks.”
In a major move to counter Israel’s campaign in Gaza, the UK has sanctioned two prominent Israeli ministers for their “repeated incitement of violence against Palestinian civilians.” Itamar Ben-Gvir, Minister of National Security, and Bezalel Smotrich, Finance Minister, have been held responsible for current border policy affecting Palestinian territories, the illegal expansion of settlements in the West Bank, and the ongoing aid blockade in Gaza. These sanctions are being supported and enacted alongside key allies including New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Norway. Measures include the freezing of assets in those nations and travel bans. Hamish Falconer, Foreign Office Minister, stated in the House of Commons that the sanctions respond to the two-state solution being in “peril” amid a “shocking deterioration in the West Bank.” Falconer emphasised the ministers’ violent rhetoric as undermining the equal rights of the Palestinian people.
Multiple sources across the African continent have reported that Gulf nations are expanding their economic and diplomatic influence in the region, moving beyond current investments in logistics and mining. The UAE is said to be backing the creation of a new economic zone in Ghana, while Qatar is reportedly investing in construction and infrastructure projects in Tanzania. According to the African Export-Import Bank, Gulf nations invested more than $100 billion in Africa between 2012 and 2022—surpassing investments by China, France and the UK.
Today also witnessed a further escalation of violence in Palestine, as Israeli troops killed at least 17 civilians attempting to reach food distribution sites, targeting vulnerable groups including children and the elderly. Several UN experts have accused the IDF of committing war crimes, including the “obliteration” of Gaza’s education system. Israeli spokespersons have denied the allegations. An independent UN commission found that over 90% of schools and university buildings in Gaza have been destroyed, rendering education “impossible.” The same inquiry reported the destruction of over half of Gaza’s religious and cultural sites. Navi Pillay, chair of the commission, stated: “We are seeing more and more indications that Israel is carrying out a concerted campaign to obliterate Palestinian life in Gaza.”
Japanese authorities have released evidence of two Chinese aircraft carriers operating within the Japanese Exclusive Economic Zone surrounding the Okinotori atoll for the first time. The carriers were accompanied by four other vessels, including a missile destroyer, fighter jets and helicopters. Japan’s Defence Minister, General Nakatani, told reporters: “Japan has expressed its position that the Chinese activities should not threaten Japan’s safety.” Both the US and Japan claim China’s increased military presence in the region aims to push American forces out of the “first island chain” between Japan and the Philippines. Chinese officials said that the Shandong and Liaoning carriers were engaged in “routine training.”
Guernica, Pablo Picasso, c.1937.
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For Additional Context: https://apnews.com/article/us-china-trade-talks-london-e9e87d76a81a5e51294368308d5af47d
