海角大神

President Donald Trump is set to begin a highly-anticipated summit in China. Mr. Trump told reporters that trade will be the main focus of his discussions with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The Trump administration hopes to establish a 鈥淏oard of Trade鈥� with China to address differences and prevent further trade conflicts. The visit comes at a delicate moment for Mr. Trump, with his popularity affected by the U.S. and Israel鈥檚 war with Iran and rising inflation. Mr. Trump also plans to discuss Taiwan and an $11 billion weapons package. He expressed optimism about future relations with China. 鈥� The Associated Press

The commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration resigns. Marty Makary, the head of the FDA, had been at odds with the Trump administration鈥檚 desire to approve fruit-flavored e-cigarettes for adults. Remarking on Dr. Makary鈥檚 departure, President Donald Trump called him a terrific guy and a great doctor but added that he was 鈥渉aving some difficulty鈥� in the role. In congressional testimony, the surgeon and health researcher had expressed concern that flavored vapes appeal to kids. Dr. Makary had also approved a generic brand of abortion medication, which angered some conservatives.

King Charles III will open Parliament amid political uncertainty. He will deliver his prime minister鈥檚 legislative program for the coming year to lawmakers with all the pomp and historic trappings that accompany the ceremonial state opening for Parliament. The question is whether Prime Minister Keir Starmer will be around to implement it and, even if he survives the latest government crisis, whether he will have the authority to push his proposals through Parliament. The King鈥檚 Speech on Wednesday will be Starmer鈥檚 second attempt to save his premiership after his Labour Party suffered huge losses in local and regional election last week. 鈥� AP
Our coverage:听In 鈥榬eferendum on Starmer,鈥� Labour loses big

An antisemitism network warned of a global rise in attacks on Jews. Special Envoys and Coordinators Combating Antisemitism, or SECCA, warned in a joint statement issued in Geneva of a sharp global rise in attacks targeting synagogues, schools, and Jewish gatherings. They urged governments to strengthen security, prosecute antisemitic crimes, and curb online hate speech. The envoys said antisemitism threatens democratic values. 鈥淎ntisemitism is a threat to Jews 鈥� and that alone would be reason enough to fight it,鈥� the envoys declared, warning, 鈥淚t also erodes the very foundations of our democratic and free societies.鈥�

In the Philippines, a girl swam for five hours to save her family. When a motorboat carrying Cherry Ann Mateo and her family capsized off Culasi, Antique, in the Philippines on May 6, the 12-year-old decided to swim to an island to seek help to rescue the other three passengers. She spent more than five hours swimming more than 3 1/2 miles to reach shore. The subsequent search mission rescued the three others late that night. On Monday, the Coast Guard awarded Ms. Mateo a commendation for her 鈥渂ravery and presence of mind during the incident.鈥�

鈥� Compiled by Monitor writers around the world

This year鈥檚 partisan contest over redrawing political maps has been expanded after a Supreme Court ruling narrowed the scope of the Voting Rights Act. The last-minute rush is the latest sign that many election norms aren鈥檛 locked in stone.

In Beijing, President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss the future of AI, as both the U.S. and China compete to dominate this new technology. The outcome of the meeting听鈥� and the contest听鈥� could have a profound impact on the world's two biggest economies.

In Taiwan, people鈥檚 willingness to stand up to coercion from China is closely related to their trust that the United States will come to their aid. That trust is wavering during the second Trump administration, and Beijing is seeking to amplify the doubts.

Brazil has some of the toughest racism laws in the world. The laws stem from the nation鈥檚 long history of slavery 鈥� but is legal code enough to change society?

Many books delve into the writing or ratifying of the Declaration of Independence; one historian examines the swirl of information in 1776 that changed people鈥檚 lives. Colonists made life-or-death decisions based on accurate and inaccurate reports, gossip, and speculation.

This week鈥檚 Africa Forward summit in Nairobi, Kenya, signals both continuity and change 鈥� or, to put it differently, continuing change in perceptions of the continent鈥檚 opportunities and abilities to decisively shape its future.

Co-hosted by Kenya and France, the May 11-12 event has drawn some 30 heads of state and 7,000 government and business representatives to the East African capital city. Discussions are focused on investment (in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and infrastructure) and on ways to reform international trade and finance systems to address indebtedness and unlock capital flows.

In opening remarks, Kenyan President William Ruto consigned the era of 鈥渁id, dependency, and unsustainable borrowing鈥� to the past, calling for 鈥渁 new paradigm grounded in investment, innovation, ... [and] partnerships built on sovereign equality and mutual benefit.鈥�

鈥淟et鈥檚 take a leap together鈥� into 鈥渆qual partnership,鈥� his co-host, French President Emmanuel Macron, urged, announcing the mobilization of 鈧�23 billion ($27 billion) of investment from French and African companies. Since taking office in 2017, Mr. Macron has sought to reinvent the former colonial power鈥檚 relationships with African countries, having visited almost 20 鈥� more than any previous French president. 鈥淗e loves the energy, the creativity, the optimism there,鈥� a former classmate and adviser told Le Monde.

Such recognition of the continent鈥檚 dynamism and drive marks a subtle and necessary shift in long-held attitudes toward Africa. While it might not yet be evident in other Western capitals, Mr. Macron could be setting an example for national self-reflection and a willingness to forge new relationships based on two-way respect and regard.

When such qualities imbue diplomatic and economic outreach, they are more likely to strengthen trust and cooperation. In an era of major geopolitical uncertainty, France and many African nations are increasingly aligned on the need for upholding a stable and dependable world order. During the summit, Mr. Macron noted a common interest in building 鈥渟trategic autonomy鈥� for Europe and Africa, remarking, 鈥淚f we build it together, we will be much stronger.鈥�

Despite France鈥檚 fraught history in West and North Africa, some Africa observers are expectant of transformation and progress. Foreign investment can bring exploitation alongside 鈥渘eeded infrastructure, jobs, expertise and financing,鈥� pointed out Kelvin Ndunga in an op-ed in a Turkish paper this week. But improving continental cooperation and 鈥渂uilding internal systems鈥� to frame equitable partnerships can help counter the risks, he noted.

As veteran journalist Yinka Adegoke observed in Semafor Africa on Monday, 鈥淭he conversation [in Nairobi] is less about the French reclaiming influence in Africa ... than about African countries widening their options.鈥� More such options are key to unlocking meaningful progress on a continent where 60% of inhabitants are under 25 years of age.