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This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 26 ELMAU, Germany (AP) — Leading economic powers conferred by video link with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday as they underscored their commitment to Ukraine for “as long as it takes” with plans to pursue a price cap on Russian oil, raise tariffs on Russian goods and impose other new sanctions. In addition, the U.S. was preparing to announce the purchase of an advanced surface-to-air missile system for Kyiv to help Ukraine fight back against Vladimir Putin’s aggression. The new aid and efforts by the Group of Seven leaders to punish Moscow come as Zelenskyy has openly worried that the West has become fatigued by the cost of a war that is contributing to soaring energy costs and price hikes on essential goods around the globe. U.S. … [Read more...] about G-7 leaders confer with Zelenskyy, prep new aid for Ukraine

Fox News host Sean Hannity railed Friday against former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch as a "narcissistic diplomatic snowflake" in his latest defense of President Donald Trump. Trump himself received widespread criticism and allegations of witness intimidation for ridiculing Yovanovitch on Twitter during her testimony before House lawmakers Friday. But Hannity, one of Trump's most prominent cheerleaders on Fox News, labeled her and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff "liars" and narcissists. Hannity described her as a "snowflake" for testifying Friday about attorney Rudy Giuliani and other Trump administration officials leading a smear campaign against her. Although Trump's tweet did not directly threaten Yovanovitch, the law also covers intimidation and harassment, which is an impeachable offense punishable by up to three years in prison. Hannity followed the president's lead and repeatedly labeled Yovanovitch a self-important official looking to make … [Read more...] about Sean Hannity attacks Marie Yovanovitch, calling her a “narcissistic diplomat snowflake”

A long-simmering dispute between San Francisco’s Catholic leaders and the city’s elected officials escalated Friday when a Bay Area archbishop took the extraordinary step of barring House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from receiving Communion over her support for abortion access. The move, occurring just as the U.S. Supreme Court appears poised to overturn Roe vs. Wade, underscores deep divisions among Catholics over the issue. Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone told Pelosi in a letter Thursday that she had not offered “an accommodation to my many requests to speak with you again since you vowed to codify the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision in federal law” after a Texas law effectively banning most abortions took effect last year. Cordileone said he had written to Pelosi in April warning her that he was prepared to bar her from receiving Communion. “As you have not publicly repudiated your position on abortion, and continue to refer to your Catholic faith in justifying your position and … [Read more...] about San Francisco archbishop bars Rep. Nancy Pelosi from receiving Communion over abortion rights stance

Hong Kong on July 1 will mark its 25th anniversary under Chinese rule. The financial hub returned to China from Britain in 1997, with promises of wide-ranging freedoms and autonomy under “one country, two systems” governance. Critics, including some Western governments, say China has reneged on those promises in recent years under a sweeping national security law. Authorities in Hong Kong and China reject those claims. WHAT ARE THE KEY POLITICAL MILESTONES? Hong Kong was wrested from China by Britain in three phases, starting with the mid-19th century Opium Wars. Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon peninsula were signed over in perpetuity. The larger rural New Territories and outlying islands were added under a 99-year lease in 1898. In 1984, Britain and China agreed that Hong Kong would be handed back at midnight on June 30, 1997. A mini-constitution, the Basic Law, was later drafted, guaranteeing Hong Kong’s capitalist way of life for 50 years as well as a high degree of autonomy, … [Read more...] about NEWS18 EXPLAINS: Hong Kong’s Rocky Political Road Since The 1997 Handover

With much pomp and pageantry, China launched its third aircraft carrier this month. The Type 003, now named Fujian, is China’s biggest, most modern and most powerful aircraft carrier. At 80,000 tons and 318 meters, the Fujian outstrips all but America’s supercarriers, the new USS Gerald R. Ford-class. The vessel is named Fujian, after the Chinese province that sits across from Taiwan. This is China’s third aircraft carrier and second indigenously produced carrier after Liaoning and Shandong. The prior was purchased from Ukraine and commissioned in 2012, while the latter was manufactured in Dalian Shipyard and commissioned with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in 2019. Besides power projections in the near seas (Yellow Sea, East China Sea and the South China Sea), both Liaoning and Shandong are essentially classified as training ships and are intended to allow the Chinese Navy to experiment, train and gain familiarity with aircraft carrier operations — a relatively new domain … [Read more...] about What Does China’s New Aircraft Carrier Say About Its Technology and Strategy

A poster showing BTS members is displayed at a tourist information center in Seoul on June 15. [AP/YONHAP] HYBE was not required to make a formal disclosure about a possible BTS "hiatus," according to the stock exchange, despite concerns that the company failed to properly communicate a material event to the public and shareholders. "Not disclosing information on a BTS hiatus is not a violation of Korea Exchange rules," said Lee June-hyung, a spokesperson for Korea Exchange. "The band's remarks were vague. The company would have to file a disclosure if it was clear from when to when the group will halt activities." Lee added that listed entertainment agencies cannot file reports on every activity of their singers or actors. In a video released June 14, BTS member Suga suggested that the band would be taking a temporary break from group activities. HYBE's stock plummeted 28 percent the following day to near its initial public offering price. The stock hasn't recovered since, … [Read more...] about HYBE not required to disclose BTS ‘hiatus,’ Korea Exchange says

The DP World Tour have today announced punishments for the Saudi golf defectors with the sport's civil war escalating. A number of the Tour's biggest names - including Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter - made the controversial LIV Golf switch ahead of the inaugural event earlier this month. In response to those who chose to sign on the dotted line with Greg Norman's new golfing empire, the PGA Tour issued suspensions to the rebels , with US stars such as Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau all being handed the punishment. Two weeks on, their European allies at the DP World Tour have now followed suit with sanctions of their own, issuing all those competing on the breakaway circuit £100,000 fines for competing without permission from the Wentworth-based tour. As well as this, the Saudi golf rebels will also be banned from competing in the Genesis Scottish Open, the Barbasol Championship (July 7-10) and the Barracuda Championship … [Read more...] about Saudi golf defectors sanctioned by DP World Tour as they follow PGA in stamping down