World
US considers China sanctions to deter Taiwan action
The US is contemplating choices for a sanctions bundle in opposition to China to discourage it from invading Taiwan, with the European Union coming underneath diplomatic stress from Taipei to do the identical, in accordance with sources accustomed to the discussions.
The sources mentioned the deliberations in Washington and Taipei’s separate lobbying of EU envoys had been each at an early stage — a response to fears of a Chinese language invasion which have grown as navy tensions escalate within the Taiwan Strait.
In each instances, the concept is to undertake sanctions past measures already taken within the West to limit some commerce and funding with China in delicate applied sciences like laptop chips and telecoms gear.
The sources didn’t present particulars of what’s being thought-about, however the notion of sanctions on the world’s second-largest economic system and one of many world provide chain’s largest hyperlinks raises questions of feasibility.
“The potential imposition of sanctions on China is a much more complicated train than sanctions on Russia, given US and allies’ intensive entanglement with the Chinese language economic system,” mentioned Nazak Nikakhtar, a former senior US Commerce Division official.
China claims Taiwan as its personal territory and final month fired missiles over the island and sailed warships throughout their unofficial sea frontier after US Home of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei in what Beijing noticed as a provocation.
Chinese language President Xi Jinping has promised to convey democratically-governed Taiwan underneath Beijing’s management and has not dominated out the usage of pressure. He’s set to safe a 3rd, five-year management time period at a Communist Get together congress subsequent month. Taiwan’s authorities strongly rejects China’s sovereignty claims.
In Washington, officers are contemplating choices for a attainable bundle of sanctions in opposition to China to discourage Xi from making an attempt to invade Taiwan, mentioned a US official and an official from a rustic in shut coordination with Washington.
US talks over sanctions started after Russia invaded Ukraine in February however took on new urgency after the Chinese language response to Pelosi’s go to, the 2 sources mentioned.
The US, backed by NATO allies, took an identical strategy to Russia in January with a risk of unspecified sanctions however this did not dissuade Russian President Vladimir Putin from launching his invasion of Ukraine.
The White Home is targeted on getting nations on the identical web page, together with coordinating between Europe and Asia, and avoiding scary Beijing, the non-US official mentioned.
Reuters was unable to be taught particulars on what particular sanctions had been into consideration, however some analysts instructed China’s navy may very well be the main target.
“Massive image, preliminary sanctions conversations will doubtless revolve round curbing China’s entry to sure applied sciences required to maintain a navy operation in opposition to Taiwan,” mentioned Craig Singleton on the Basis for Protection of Democracies.
The White Home declined to remark.
Taiwan’s Overseas Ministry mentioned it had mentioned China’s latest battle video games and the “nice challenges” China poses to Taiwan and the area with the US, Europe and different like-minded companions, however couldn’t disclose particulars.
China’s Overseas Ministry and the Chinese language Embassy in Washington didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
Taiwan’s pitch to Europe
Taiwan had already broached sanctions with European officers after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, however China’s latest navy workout routines have seen Taiwan’s place harden, six sources briefed on the Taiwan-Europe discussions advised Reuters.
Prime Taiwanese officers’ requires sanctions preparations have intensified in latest weeks. A latest Chinese language white paper, which withdrew a promise to not ship troops or directors to Taiwan if Beijing takes management of the island, has prompted a redoubling of their efforts with Europe.
Taiwan has not requested for something particular, just for Europe to plan what actions it could take if China attacked, one supply briefed on discussions mentioned, and has requested Europe to warn China privately that it could face penalties.
EU officers have to this point shied away from imposing robust sanctions on China over human rights points, because the nation performs a far larger position for the bloc’s economic system than Russia, mentioned one other particular person accustomed to the matter.
EU sanctions would require all 27 member nations to agree, which is commonly elusive; consensus was robust even in isolating Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, partially as a result of its gasoline was important for Germany.
All of Europe, excluding the Vatican, has formal diplomatic relations with Beijing however not Taipei, although Taiwanese and European officers have had intensive, personal contacts since China’s navy workout routines started, the sources say.
Germany, the bloc’s financial engine, is “cautious,” in accordance with one other official accustomed to the dialogue. “I don’t suppose the Russia-Ukraine [war] has basically modified the way in which they view their relationship with China.”
However there’s rising concern within the German authorities over its financial dependence on China, with the economic system minister pledging a brand new commerce coverage and “no extra naivety” on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz declined to remark.
World
Explainer-The Electoral College and the 2024 US Presidential Race
World
Russia jails American Stephen Hubbard over fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine
A Russian court sentenced a 72-year-old American to nearly seven years in prison Monday after he was convicted on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine.
Investigators alleged during a closed-door trial that Stephen Hubbard of Michigan was paid $1,000 a month to enlist in a Ukrainian defense unit in Izyum, a city in the eastern part of the country, where he had been residing since 2014, according to Reuters.
The news agency cited Russian investigators and state media as saying that Hubbard was trained and given weapons and ammunition after he allegedly signed up for the mercenary unit in February 2022. Two months later, he reportedly was detained by Russian soldiers and then pleaded guilty to charges of fighting as a mercenary.
Hubbard was sentenced to six years and 10 months in prison. He is the first American known to have been convicted on charges of fighting as a mercenary in the Ukrainian conflict, according to the Associated Press.
RUSSIAN ARMS DEALER VIKTOR BOUT, WHO WAS TRADED FOR BRITTANY GRINER, TO SELL WEAPONS TO IRAN-BACKED HOUTHIS
The charges carry a potential sentence of 15 years, but prosecutors asked that his age be taken into account along with his admission of guilt, Russian news reports said.
Last month, Hubbard’s sister Patricia Hubbard Fox and another relative told Reuters that he held pro-Russian views and was unlikely to have fought in battle at his age.
Russian state media is saying Hubbard plans to appeal the verdict. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
UKRAINIAN STRONGHOLD VUHLEDAR FALLS TO RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE AFTER TWO YEARS OF BOMBARDMENT
A court in the Russian city of Voronezh also sentenced American Robert Gilman on Monday to seven years and one month for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers while serving a sentence for another assault.
Gilman, a U.S. Marine veteran, was arrested in 2022 for causing a disturbance while intoxicated on a passenger train, and then allegedly assaulted a police officer while in custody, Russian news reports say. He is already serving a 3 1/2-year sentence on that charge.
State news agency RIA-Novosti said that last year, he assaulted a prison inspector during a cell check, then hit an official of the Investigative Committee, resulting in the new sentence.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
World
Asylum applications in the EU drop by 17% as countries tighten borders
Syrians remain the largest group among asylum seekers, while Germany, Spain, Italy and France face the most cases.
First-time applications from people seeking asylum in the EU have declined by 17% this summer, according to Eurostat.
Syrians are still the largest group of people seeking asylum with more than 10,000 first-time applicants. Venezuelans followed them with 6,340 and Afghans with 5,930 applications.
Germany, Spain, Italy and France still host the highest number of first-time asylum applicants. These four countries are processing 76% of all first-time applications in the EU.
According to the report, in June the EU total of first-time asylum applicants was 15.7 per 100,000 people.
Among the 70,375 seeking asylum in the EU, a bit over 2,000 are unaccompanied minors.
The majority of underaged asylum seekers are originally from Syria (675), Afghanistan (405) and Egypt (255).
Most of these children apply for asylum in Germany, Bulgaria, Greece, the Netherlands and Spain.
How are the EU countries reacting?
Despite the drop, migration remains a buzzword across EU member states, forcing the issue to the top of the agenda.
The 17% drop in asylum applications came as some of the bloc’s countries announced new tighter border controls.
Germany decided to tighten its land borders for six months in September and has allowed its law enforcement to reject more migrants right at its borders.
Temporary border controls are set up at the land borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark, adding to the existing checks, now totalling at all land crossings with nine European countries.
“Until we achieve strong protection of the EU’s external borders with the new Common European Asylum System, we need to strengthen controls at our national borders,” German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said.
The Dutch government has also confirmed its intention to ask “as soon as possible” for an opt-out clause from the EU’s migration and asylum rules.
For more information about this, watch the Euronews video in the player above.
Video editor • Mert Can Yilmaz
-
Technology5 days ago
Charter will offer Peacock for free with some cable subscriptions next year
-
World4 days ago
Ukrainian stronghold Vuhledar falls to Russian offensive after two years of bombardment
-
World4 days ago
WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange says he pleaded ‘guilty to journalism’ in order to be freed
-
Technology4 days ago
Beware of fraudsters posing as government officials trying to steal your cash
-
Health2 days ago
Health, happiness and helping others are vital parts of free and responsible society, Founding Fathers taught
-
Virginia6 days ago
Status for Daniels and Green still uncertain for this week against Virginia Tech; Reuben done for season
-
Sports3 days ago
Freddie Freeman says his ankle sprain is worst injury he's ever tried to play through
-
News2 days ago
Lebanon says 50 medics killed in past three days as Israel extends its bombardment