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The world in brief
Catch up quickly on the global stories that matter
Updated 1 hour ago (10:23 GMT+1 / 05:23 New York)
Listen to the briefing(Recorded at 22:31 GMT+1 / 17:31 New York)
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America will provide Ukraine with long-range rocket systems that can strike targets nearly 50 miles (80km) away, as part of a new $700m military aid package. The commitment was only made after senior Ukrainian officials assured America that the weapons would not be used against targets inside Russia. Writing in the New York Times, Joe Biden said he does not want a war between NATO and Russia or to oust Vladimir Putin. America’s goal is a “democratic, independent” Ukraine with the means to “defend itself against further aggression”.
Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, called the Russian bombing of a chemical plant “just crazy”. On Tuesday the governor of Luhansk, a province in the east of Ukraine, said that Russian forces hit a tank full of nitric acid at a facility in Severodonetsk, a city they are closing in on. Residents were told to stay in shelters to avoid the fallout. Earlier Ukraine’s prosecutor-general announced that the country would start prosecuting 80 suspected Russian war criminals, out of the 600 it has identified.
Russia cut off more of its gas supply to Europe, following the European Union’s partial ban on Russian oil. Gazprom, a state-owned energy giant, said it will halt flows to companies in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands because they failed to make payments in roubles. On Monday leaders of the EU agreed to the bloc’s harshest package of sanctions yet, which will cut imports of Russian oil by 90% by the end of the year.
America’s Supreme Court temporarily blocked a Texas law that would prevent social-media firms from censoring content based on the views expressed within them. Bringing the case, two tech trade associations argued that the law would encourage hate speech and was in any case unconstitutional. Texas thinks that social-media platforms are too quick to suppress conservative viewpoints.
The chief executive of DWS, Germany’s largest fund manager, resigned, a day after police in Frankfurt raided the company’s offices looking for evidence of greenwashing. Germany’s financial regulator and America’s Securities and Exchange Commission have both launched probes into DWS, after a former executive claimed that it lied about the ESG-credentials of its assets. Police also raided the offices of Deutsche Bank, DWS’s majority owner.
Alexei Navalny, a jailed Kremlin critic, said he had been charged with additional crimes by Russian authorities and faces 15 more years in prison if found guilty. The accusations, he said, include creating an extremist organisation to “fan hatred against officials and oligarchs” and organising anti-government protests. In March, Mr Navalny was handed a nine-year sentence for fraud and contempt of court.
The Biden administration said it would push for further sanctions against North Korea if the country went ahead with an expected nuclear-weapons test. Last week China and Russia vetoed America’s proposal to tighten sanctions at the UN after a series of rocket launches by North Korea. The country has not conducted a nuclear test since 2017, the last time the UN imposed sanctions.
Fact of the Day: One in five, the share of Britons who contract the flu each year. What if it were treated more like covid? Read the full article.
California copes with drought
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Picture a Californian home with its backyard pool and pea-green lawn. That lawn may soon be a thirsty taupe. Starting Wednesday, 6m people in and around Los Angeles have been asked to water their lawns just once a week. The new rules will conserve water amid a drought in the American West that climatologists consider “extreme” across 60% of California. Last year was the state’s second-driest on record; this year is likely to be even worse.
The restrictions will have a limited impact, since urban areas account for just a fifth of water used by households and firms. Agriculture consumes the rest. Water shortages will force farmers to let irrigated cropland turn fallow. Landowners will probably invest in crops that produce higher revenues for net water used—known as “pop per drop”—such as vegetables and nuts, instead of rice and cotton. Many urban gardeners, meanwhile, will ditch lush perennials in favour of prickly cacti.
Denmark’s EU defence vote
PHOTO: AFP
Danes have always had reservations about the EU. In 1992 they voted in a referendum against the Maastricht treaty that founded the union. The next year they changed their minds, after the government negotiated opt-outs from policies in four areas, including defence. But when Russia invaded Ukraine, Denmark’s parliament decided to revisit the issue. On Wednesday the country holds a referendum on whether to join European defence policies after all.
The EU’s limited defence efforts include a programme to co-ordinate arms procurement and a joint mission in the Mediterranean to enforce restrictions on Libya. Denmark is a founding member of NATO, and some Danes wonder what the EU has to add. Far-left and far-right parties want to keep the opt-out, and doubters fear (wrongly) that Danish soldiers could be forced into missions without parliamentary approval. But most parties want to join, both to deter Russia and to become less dependent on America. Polls suggest voters agree.
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The “Hong Kong 47” go on trial
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
A trial of 47 opposition Hong Kong politicians and activists is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Their alleged crime—carrying a maximum life sentence under national-security legislation—was to hold an unofficial primary in 2020. They wanted to determine a slate of candidates to take on pro-Beijing politicians in elections due later that year (but subsequently postponed).
In a pre-dawn swoop in January 2021, police rounded up the organisers, including luminaries of the pro-democracy movement such as Benny Tai and Joshua Wong. John Lee, Hong Kong’s incoming chief executive—then secretary of security—accused them of a “vicious plot”. Their aim was to win at least half of the seats in the legislative chamber, he said, as if they should have been attempting to lose. After 25 years dealing with its boisterous southern territory, China is now clear that Hong Kongers must not be allowed to express their beliefs, especially at the ballot box.
By invitation: Recep Tayyip Erdogan on NATO expansion
PHOTO: DAN WILLIAMS
Turkey’s president is blocking Finnish and Swedish NATO accession. This is an extract from a piece he has written for The Economist explaining why:
As all NATO allies accept Turkey’s critical importance to the alliance, it is unfortunate that some members fail fully to appreciate certain threats to our country. Turkey maintains that the admission of Sweden and Finland entails risks for its own security and the organisation’s future. We have every right to expect those countries, which will expect NATO’s second-largest army to come to their defence under Article 5, to prevent the recruitment, fundraising and propaganda activities of the PKK [a Kurdish separitist group], which the European Union and America consider a terrorist entity.
Turkey wants the candidate countries to curb the activities of all terrorist organisations and extradite the members of these organisations. We provided clear evidence to the authorities in these countries and waited for action from them. Also Turkey wants these countries to support the anti-terror operations of NATO members. Terrorism is a threat for all members and the candidate countries should recognise this reality before joining. Unless they take necessary steps, Turkey will not change its position on this issue.
Ukraine fights for a spot at the World Cup
PHOTO: REUTERS
The last remaining European team to qualify for this year’s football World Cup will be settled this week. On Wednesday Scotland play Ukraine in Glasgow, with the winner facing Wales in Cardiff on June 5th for the deciding match. The fixtures have been postponed from March to give war-torn Ukraine time to prepare. Around half of the national squad are based at home, where the domestic season was cancelled following Russia’s invasion.
Wednesday’s match will be the first competitive fixture Ukraine has played since the outbreak of war (some practice games have been held to keep rustiness at bay). The usual competitive atmosphere might be missing in the stadium, at least ahead of the starting whistle, with the Scottish side expected to sing Ukraine’s national anthem in solidarity. The odds are stacked against Ukraine, but it would not be the first time that the country has mounted a surprise defence against a stronger opponent.
Daily quiz
Our baristas will serve you a new question each day this week. On Friday your challenge is to give us all five answers and, as important, tell us the connecting theme. Email your responses (and include mention of your home city and country) by 1700 BST on Friday to QuizEspresso@economist.com. We’ll pick randomly from those with the right answers and crown one winner per continent on Saturday.
Wednesday: Which silent film comedian was dubbed “the great stoneface”?
Tuesday: Which Florida city was the site of the “winter White House” of President Harry Truman?
There are times when the utmost daring is the height of wisdom.
Carl von Clausewitz
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美国将向乌克兰提供可打击近50英里(80公里)外目标的远程火箭系统,作为新的7亿美元军事援助计划的一部分。这一承诺是在乌克兰高级官员向美国保证这些武器不会被用于打击俄罗斯境内的目标之后才做出的。乔-拜登在《纽约时报》上撰文说,他不希望北约和俄罗斯之间发生战争,也不希望推翻弗拉基米尔-普京。美国的目标是一个 "民主、独立 "的乌克兰,拥有 "保护自己免受进一步侵略 "的手段。
乌克兰总统沃洛基米尔-泽伦斯基称俄罗斯对一家化工厂的轰炸 "简直疯狂"。周二,乌克兰东部省份卢甘斯克的省长说,俄罗斯军队击中了他们正在逼近的塞维罗多涅茨克市的一个设施中装满硝酸的罐子。居民们被告知留在避难所,以避免落下的影响。早些时候,乌克兰总检察长宣布,该国将开始起诉已确定的600名俄罗斯战犯嫌犯中的80人。
在欧盟对俄罗斯石油实施部分禁令后,俄罗斯切断了对欧洲的更多天然气供应。国有能源巨头Gazprom表示,它将停止向丹麦、德国和荷兰的公司输送天然气,因为它们未能以卢布付款。周一,欧盟领导人同意了该集团迄今为止最严厉的一揽子制裁措施,这将使俄罗斯石油的进口在今年年底前减少90%。
美国最高法院暂时阻止了德克萨斯州的一项法律,该法律将阻止社交媒体公司根据其内部表达的观点对内容进行审查。提起此案,两个科技贸易协会认为,该法律会鼓励仇恨言论,无论如何都是违宪的。德州认为,社交媒体平台压制保守派观点的速度太快。
德国最大的基金管理公司DWS的首席执行官辞职,一天后,法兰克福的警察突击检查了该公司的办公室,寻找洗绿的证据。德国金融监管机构和美国证券交易委员会都对DWS进行了调查,因为一位前高管声称该公司在其资产的ESG证书上撒谎。警方还搜查了DWS的大股东德意志银行的办公室。
被监禁的克里姆林宫批评家阿列克谢-纳瓦尔尼(Alexei Navalny)说,他被俄罗斯当局指控犯有更多罪行,如果被判有罪,他还将面临15年的监禁。他说,这些指控包括建立一个极端主义组织来 "煽动对官员和寡头的仇恨",以及组织反政府抗议活动。3月,纳瓦尔尼先生因欺诈和藐视法庭被判处9年监禁。
拜登政府表示,如果朝鲜继续进行预期的核武器试验,它将推动对该国的进一步制裁。上周,在朝鲜发射了一系列火箭后,中国和俄罗斯否决了美国在联合国加强制裁的提议。自2017年以来,该国没有进行过一次核试验,这是联合国最后一次实施制裁。
今天的事实。五分之一,是每年感染流感的英国人的比例。如果它的治疗方法更像科威德呢?阅读全文。
加州应对干旱
照片。GETTY IMAGES
想象一下加州的家庭,有后院的游泳池和豌豆绿的草坪。那片草坪可能很快就会变成干渴的灰褐色。从周三开始,洛杉矶及其周边地区的600万人被要求每周只浇一次草坪。新规则将在美国西部的干旱中节约用水,气候学家认为加州60%的地区处于 "极端 "状态。去年是该州有记录以来的第二大干旱;今年可能会更糟糕。
限制措施将产生有限的影响,因为城市地区只占家庭和公司用水的五分之一。农业消耗了其余的水。水的短缺将迫使农民让灌溉的农田休耕。土地所有者可能会投资于对净用水产生较高收益的作物,即所谓的 "每滴水",如蔬菜和坚果,而不是水稻和棉花。同时,许多城市园丁将放弃茂盛的多年生植物,而选择带刺的仙人掌。
丹麦的欧盟防务投票
照片。法新社
丹麦人对欧盟一直持保留态度。1992年,他们在公投中投票反对建立联盟的马斯特里赫特条约。第二年,在政府就包括国防在内的四个领域的政策进行谈判后,他们改变了主意。但当俄罗斯入侵乌克兰时,丹麦议会决定重新审视这个问题。本周三,该国就是否终究加入欧洲防务政策举行了公投。
欧盟有限的防务努力包括一个协调武器采购的计划和一个在地中海执行对利比亚限制的联合任务。丹麦是北约的创始国之一,一些丹麦人想知道欧盟有什么可补充的。极左翼和极右翼政党希望保留选择权,怀疑者担心(错误地)丹麦士兵可能未经议会批准就被迫执行任务。但大多数政党希望加入,既是为了威慑俄罗斯,也是为了减少对美国的依赖。民意调查显示,选民们也同意。
在您的收件箱中获取简报
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"香港47 "受审
照片。GETTY IMAGES
对47名香港反对派政治家和活动家的审判定于星期三和星期四举行。他们被指控的罪行--根据国家安全法最高可判处终身监禁--是为了在2020年举行一次非正式的初选。他们想确定一个候选人名单,以便在该年晚些时候举行的选举中与亲北京的政治家竞争(但后来推迟了)。
在2021年1月的一次黎明前的突击行动中,警方围捕了组织者,包括戴耀廷和王祖贤等民主运动的知名人士。香港即将上任的行政长官--当时的保安司--指责他们有一个 "恶性阴谋"。他说,他们的目标是在立法院中赢得至少一半的席位,似乎他们应该试图输掉。在与喧嚣的南方领土打交道25年后,中国现在很清楚,决不允许香港人表达他们的信仰,尤其是在投票箱上。
应邀出席。雷杰普-塔伊普-埃尔多安谈北约扩张
照片。DAN WILLIAMS
土耳其总统正在阻止芬兰和瑞典加入北约。这是他为《经济学人》撰写的一篇文章的摘录,解释了其中的原因。
由于所有北约盟国都接受土耳其对联盟的关键重要性,不幸的是,一些成员未能充分认识到对我国的某些威胁。土耳其坚持认为,瑞典和芬兰的加入会给土耳其自身的安全和该组织的未来带来风险。我们完全有权利期望这些国家--它们将期望北约第二大军队根据第5条来保卫它们--防止库尔德工人党[库尔德分离主义组织]的招募、筹款和宣传活动,欧盟和美国认为该组织是一个恐怖主义实体。
土耳其希望候选国遏制所有恐怖组织的活动并引渡这些组织的成员。我们向这些国家的当局提供了明确的证据,并等待着他们的行动。土耳其还希望这些国家支持北约成员国的反恐行动。恐怖主义是对所有成员的威胁,候选国在加入前应该认识到这一现实。除非他们采取必要的措施,否则土耳其不会改变其在这个问题上的立场。
乌克兰为世界杯的一个席位而战
照片。REUTERS
剩下的最后一支欧洲球队获得今年足球世界杯的资格将在本周尘埃落定。本周三,苏格兰在格拉斯哥对阵乌克兰,胜者将于6月5日在卡迪夫对阵威尔士,进行决定性比赛。这些比赛从3月份开始推迟,以便给饱受战争蹂躏的乌克兰提供准备时间。大约一半的国家队成员都在国内,在俄罗斯入侵后,国内赛季被取消了。
周三的比赛将是乌克兰在战争爆发后进行的第一场比赛(为了保持生疏感,举行了一些练习赛)。至少在开场哨响之前,体育场内可能会缺少通常的竞争气氛,苏格兰方面预计会唱乌克兰的国歌以示声援。赔率对乌克兰不利,但这并不是该国第一次对一个更强大的对手进行意外的防守。
每日问答
本周,我们的咖啡师将每天为您提供一个新问题。周五,你的挑战是给我们全部五个答案,同样重要的是,告诉我们连接的主题。在北京时间周五17点前,将你的回答(包括提及你的家乡和国家)发到 QuizEspresso@economist.com。我们将从那些有正确答案的人中随机挑选,并在周六为每个大洲选出一名获胜者。
星期三。哪位默片喜剧演员被称为 "伟大的石头脸"?
星期二。哪个佛罗里达城市是哈里-杜鲁门总统的 "冬季白宫 "所在地?
有些时候,最大的胆量是智慧的高度。
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