World News

China’s Xi to meet Putin in Moscow next week

Published

2 weeks ago

March 17, 2023

According to authorities, Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Moscow next week to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

They will discuss a “comprehensive collaboration and strategic cooperation,” according to the Kremlin.

The visit comes as China, a Russian ally, has proposed recommendations to resolve the crisis in Ukraine, which the West has met with skepticism.

Western countries have cautioned China not to send weaponry to Russia.

President Xi’s visit to Russia will be his first since Russian forces invaded Ukraine. On Monday, he will have lunch with Mr. Putin, followed by meetings on Tuesday.

A foreign ministry spokesperson said China will keep “an objective and fair perspective” on the situation in Ukraine and “play a helpful role in fostering discussions for peace”.

According to the spokeswoman for UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, China having a serious role in restoring Ukraine’s sovereignty would be appreciated.

The Chinese leader’s visit to Russia demonstrates Beijing’s unwavering support for Moscow. It’s no surprise: Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi have a similar worldview, and both believe in a multi-polar world.

Last year, the two men claimed that their collaboration has no bounds. It is not entirely correct.

Until date, China has not provided Russia with deadly weapons to assist it in winning the conflict in Ukraine, despite American assertions that Beijing is considering doing so.

In terms of the professed cooperation between Moscow and Beijing, Russia, with an economy one-tenth the size of China’s, is increasingly playing the position of junior partner.

So the Chinese government clearly wields power in Russia. Additional factors fueling interest in this visit include Beijing’s vow to be impartial and the fact that it has not ruled out acting as an honest broker between Moscow and Kiev.

Furthermore, China is fresh off a huge diplomatic triumph, having negotiated an agreement for Middle East enemies Iran and Saudi Arabia to reestablish diplomatic relations.

Others claim that Russia’s declared neutrality is a ruse, and that it is in Beijing’s geopolitical interests for the war to continue since Moscow is doing its dirty job – taking on the West and consuming Western resources and money.

Peace talks and respect for national sovereignty were among China’s suggestions. Nevertheless, the 12-point plan did not state explicitly that Russia must remove its soldiers from Ukraine.

World News

Biden to meet with Trudeau’s political rival on Canada visit

Published

5 days ago

March 23, 2023

Micheal Gambo

According to a senior administration source, President Joe Biden wants to meet briefly with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s main political challenger during his official visit to Canada, which begins on Thursday.

According to the person, Biden will meet with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who was chosen last year to lead the party’s quest to unseat the Liberals and Trudeau. It is fairly uncommon for a visiting US president to meet with the opposition leader in Canada.

As part of the welcoming ceremony on Thursday, Biden is also slated to meet and greet all opposition leaders.

Biden is visiting close friend Canada this week to demonstrate solidarity on Ukraine and the environment, but the duo are unlikely to reach an agreement on harder trade conflicts.

Biden will be in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, on Thursday and Friday to address Parliament and meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Traditionally, US presidents make their first overseas trip to Canada, but due to delays, including COVID-19, Biden has already visited nearly 20 other countries. He did, however, have his first bilateral meeting with Trudeau as president, although digitally.

Tech

Saudi & UAE Financiers Interested in Making Investments in SpaceX

Published

5 days ago

March 23, 2023

Micheal Gambo

According to persons familiar with the conversations, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s investment fund and an Abu Dhabi-based firm are seeking to invest in a multibillion-dollar fundraising round for Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

According to the article, the fundraising round is estimated to value the rocket manufacturer at over $140 billion.

According to Space Capital, SpaceX raised $2 billion in 2022 and $2.6 billion in 2020.

According to the article, the business and Morgan Stanley executives told investors that Saudi Arabia’s Water and Electricity Holding Company, part of the country’s sovereign wealth fund, and the United Arab Emirates’ Alpha Dhabi are part of the investment round.

Tech

TikTok to be removed from Scottish parliament phones and devices

Published

1 week ago

March 20, 2023

Micheal Gambo

According to Sky News, TikTok will be deleted from Scottish Parliament phones and devices because to security concerns.

According to an email, members of the Scottish Parliament and employees were “strongly” instructed to delete TikTok, including from personal devices used to access the Scottish Parliament’s IT systems.

Alan Balharrie, CIO and group head of digital services, wrote: “After discussions with the National Cyber Security Centre, we are strongly advising that all members, members’ staff, parliament staff and contractors’ staff remove the TikTok app from any device currently used to access the Scottish Parliament’s IT systems.

“This includes personal devices and SPCB-issued devices.

“We are giving this advice based on a precautionary approach and the best information available to us at this moment given the concerns around the information the TikTok application can collect from devices.

“We consider this advice to be proportionate and necessary given the situation as we currently understand it.

“We will continue to liaise with cyber security partners including the National Cyber Security Centre and this advice will be kept under review.”

In a speech to parliament on Thursday, Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden announced the removal of TikTok from UK government phones.

He stated that the app’s usage of government data and information “could” pose a concern.

Mr Dowden added that while TikTok use is “limited”, banning it is good cyber “hygiene” – and brings the UK in line with the US, Canada and the EU.