The G7 summit concluded in Japan yesterday with leaders of the world’s major economies reaffirming their support of Ukraine and welcoming President Volodymyr Zelensky as an honored guest. However, Russia claimed victory in Bakhmut, even though Ukraine says that it still holds a few blocks of the ruined city. Ukraine sees an opening to seize the initiative from the city’s outskirts if Russian forces are no longer pressing forward inside the city’s center. President Biden reversed course, agreeing to let Ukrainians be trained on American-made F-16 jets and is prepared to approve other countries transferring the jets to Ukraine.
In Thailand, Pita Limjaroenrat recently led his progressive Move Forward Party to a momentous victory in last week’s elections. He needs 376 votes from the 500-member House of Representatives to become the next prime minister, but several senators have said they would not support him.
Thousands of Afghans have fled to South America in search of safety, joining the vast human tide of desperation pressing toward the U.S. Many have been robbed or extorted, while some are kidnapped or jailed.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Mawar could hit Guam as soon as Wednesday, police in Australia are investigating why an officer used a Taser on a 95-year-old woman with dementia last week, and warring groups in Sudan agreed to a seven-day cease-fire to begin today.