G-20 summit

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Russia’s Putin won’t attend upcoming G-20 summit in Bali

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the Group of 20 summit in Indonesia next week, an Indonesian government official said Thursday, avoiding a possible confrontation with the United States and its allies over his war in Ukraine.

https://apnews.com/article/putin-biden-united-states-xi-jinping-indonesia-5f6fd062f8f49f384f7b72e2f6245800?

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What’s ‘Putin’s chef’ cooking up with talk on US meddling?

Yevgeny Prigozhin has had many roles: Convicted felon and hot dog vendor. Owner of a swanky St. Petersburg restaurant and holder of lucrative government catering contracts. Founder of a mercenary military force involved in Russia’s various conflicts.

https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-2cd23245b4bd5251db9c3677fcb49dad

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G-20 to condemn Russia’s Ukraine invasion, urge an end

NUSA DUA, Indonesia (AP) — Leaders of most of the world’s economic powers are nearing approval of a declaration strongly denouncing Russia’s invasion that has devastated Ukraine and roiled the global economy. Even China, which has mostly declined to censure Russia until now, and India, which buys weapons from Russia, are providing encouraging words.

https://apnews.com/article/g20-summit-russia-ukraine-war-28ec9b6a9c0e7efd829e91d731fb4e21?

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G20 talks end in India with no consensus on Ukraine war

NEW DELHI (AP) — Top diplomats from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations ended their contentious meeting in New Delhi on Thursday with no consensus on the Ukraine war, India’s foreign minister said, as discussions of the war and China’s widening global influence dominated much of the talks.

https://apnews.com/article/g20-india-us-china-russia-ukraine-965c803aa2a8bfa857a00f7fc2d945d0?

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G20 finance chiefs meeting in India address global challenges like climate change and rising debt

NEW DELHI (AP) — Finance ministers from the Group of 20 nations meeting in India on Monday are poised to address critical global economic challenges, including the threats posed by climate change and rising debt among low-income countries.

https://apnews.com/article/india-us-g20-finance-ministers-811d6e292ea78653bef7fa42694b5823?

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India is seeking greater voice for the developing world at G20. The war in Ukraine war could overshadow talks The global ramifications of Russia’s war on Ukraine mean even greater-than-usual challenges for meaningful agreement at the Group of 20 meeting this year in India. Read more.

Why this matters: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this year's host, has pledged not to let Ukraine overshadow the needs of the mostly developing nations in the so-called "Global South." However, many issues to be discussed -- such as supply chain security, energy security and food supply -- are closely affected by the war.   Diplomatic tensions surrounding the war have already led to a deadlock among G20 member nations over communique phrasing on Ukraine. If this deadlock persists, it could lead to the first time that the group’s summit has ended without a statement reflecting the countries’ commitments.   India, as the host of this year's G20 summit, faces the challenge of balancing its historic ties with Russia and maintaining its good terms with the U.S. Modi is hoping to use his country’s influence to bridge gaps between the wealthy nations standing together to sanction Russia over the Ukraine war and the Global South.

Related coverage ➤ Biden, Modi look to continue tightening US-India relations amid shared concerns about China China’s Xi will skip G20 summit in India during a period of soured bilateral relations Everyone’s talking about the Global South. But what is it?

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?? Biden unveils project to connect India, Middle East, Europe

President Biden and other G20 leaders announced an international infrastructure project to connect India, the Middle East and Europe with rail, shipping lines, high-speed data cables and energy pipelines, Axios Barak Ravid reports.

• Why it matters: The project — announced during the G20 Summit in New Delhi — is one of the key initiatives the White House is pushing to counter Beijing's growing influence and create an alternative to China's Belt and Road vision, of which the Middle East is a key part.

Biden said Saudi Arabia, Israel, the UAE and Jordan will be part of the initiative, first reported by Axios.

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Biden highlights business deals and honors John McCain during Vietnam visit President Joe Biden closed his first-ever visit to Vietnam on Monday by spotlighting new deals and partnerships between the countries and paying respects at a memorial honoring Sen. John McCain, who endured a lengthy incarceration during the Vietnam War. Read more.

Why this matters: Biden and Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính spoke about strengthening Vietnam’s semiconductor industry and the American commitment to an open Pacific. The prime minister said “the sky is the limit” for the expanding U.S.-Vietnam relationship.   Highlights of the major deals announced by the White House during Biden’s first-ever visit to Vietnam include U.S.-based Boeing’s $7.5 billion deal with Vietnam Airlines to buy about 50 aircraft and Arizona-based Amkor Technology’s plans for a $1.6 billion factory in Bac Ninh Province.   The White House also said the administration would help “build Vietnamese capacity to fight regional and international transnational crime.” China has been locked in long-running territorial conflicts with Vietnam, along with the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei, as Beijing claims waters in the other nations’ exclusive economic zone.

Related coverage ➤ Biden says US outreach to Vietnam is about providing global stability, not containing China McCarthy juggles government shutdown and Biden impeachment inquiry as House returns to messy fall Biden and Modi working in ‘warmth and confidence’ to build ties as Chinese leader skips G20

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Russia hails unexpected G20 'milestone' as Ukraine fumes

The 55-member bloc joins at the invitation of hosts India, one of whose key objectives while president has been to make the G20 more inclusive with greater participation of so-called Global South countries.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66716544?

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✈️ Good morning Vietnam, goodnight Alaska

A Monday that Biden began in Vietnam ended with an hourlong meet-and-greet in Alaska, where the president delivered remarks commemorating the anniversary of 9/11 before an audience of service members.

• Biden stayed until everyone who wanted a handshake or photo got one, according to a senior White House official, and later brought commanding officers and their families on board Air Force One for a tour.

Why it matters: Amid growing questions about his age and endurance, the 80-year-old Biden turned back the clock and concluded his whirlwind Asia trip with some traditional retail politics.

Worth your time: The Wall Street Journal intervewed nearly a dozen voters born on the same day as Biden — Nov. 20, 1942 — and got their thoughts on whether the president is too old to run for re-election.