South Korea and Japan settle their differences
South Korea announced its intention to set up a fund to pay victims of forced Japanese labor during World War II. It’s a sign of strengthening ties between America’s most steadfast Asian allies as the threat from China and North Korea grows.
The most important action of either country to attempt to settle a historical dispute is the creation of the fund. one of several that date back to Japan’s colonization of Korea from 1910 to 1945. South Korea won’t ask Japanese companies to compensate victims. Some consider this a concession.
The U.S. is looking to strengthen regional alliances in the face of China’s growing strength and this promise of greater cooperation is a boon. President Biden celebrated the deal as “a groundbreaking new chapter of cooperation and partnership.”
The fund is part of an overall easement. President Yoon Suk Yeol is making improving relations with Tokyo his top diplomatic goal as the region faces increasing threats. He has expanded joint military drills with Japan and the U.S. and asked his people to see Japan as a “cooperative partner” rather than a “militarist aggressor.”
Korea’s reaction: Opposition leaders called it a “capitulation.” Of the 15 victims awarded pay by South Korea’s Supreme Court, only four have expressed support. “I am not going to accept money even if I have to starve,” a 94-year-old said.
Background: Korea’s Supreme Court has stipulated that Japanese companies must pay the compensation, despite Japan’s insistence that the question was settled under a 1965 treaty.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, who called the city “our fortress” a month ago, said that the situation in Bakhmut was a particular focus. Ukraine’s most senior military commander signaled that Ukraine’s fight there should continue, according to Zelensky’s office.
In recent days, it seemed that the fight over Bakhmut was reaching its climax. Some Ukrainian officials began preparing the public for the possibility of a retreat, but Ukrainian assault brigades went on the attack This weekend, he appeared to be attempting to push back Russian forces.
Analysis: Bakhmut is of little strategic importance, but it has gained a greater symbolic significance for both sides. The battle has created a defining moment — a marathon contest to see which army can break the other.
Russia’s strategy: Russia’s defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, visited the occupied southern city of Mariupol amid growing tensions The Wagner mercenary organization. Wagner’s founder also urged Russia’s military to send reinforcements and ammunition so his fighters wouldn’t get cut off in Bakhmut.
Other updates:
David McCabe, my colleague, spoke with five people who are knowledgeable about the subject. Two people told him that the White House is considering whether to support legislation proposed by a Democratic senator, which would give the U.S. more power to police apps such as TikTok. This draft bill could be an alternative to legislation banning the app.
A shift in strategy is the increasing focus on Congress. Biden’s administration has privately worked with TikTok in an effort to reach a deal that would allow TikTok app to be used in the U.S. However, the talks have not succeeded. resulted in an agreementThis could be done by calling for Congress to act faster, shifting the focus away form the stalled talks.
Other bans The White House stated last month to federal agencies that they had 30 days TikTok can be deleted from government devices More than two dozen states The app has been removed from government devices as well. Canada The executive arm of the E.U. India banned the platform Mid-2020
What’s next: TikTok’s chief executive, Shou Zi ChewA scheduled testimony before a House committee is expected to take place later in the month.
THE LATEST NEWS
Around the World
Some of Toronto’s best restaurants are in aging, low-slung strip malls. Many restaurants are run by immigrants and offer nostalgic food from countries like Sri Lanka or Malaysia. Other restaurants, such an Indonesian/Lebanese eatery, combine new flavors to reflect waves of immigrant immigration.
But many strip malls — some of the only places that first-generation restaurateurs could afford — have been replaced by high-end condominiums. One food writer described their disappearance as a “loss of culture.”