China’s first landing of a plane on one of its new island runways in the South China Sea shows Beijing’s facilities in the disputed region are being completed on schedule and military flights will inevitably follow. Increasing military presence could effectively lead to a Beijing-controlled air defense zone. Source: Reuters
- European citizens are due to vote on new representatives for the European Parliament between May 23 and 26.
- However, years of economic stagnation and long-lasting crises over immigration in Europe have translated into a push toward anti-establishment parties across the continent.
France is sending its ambassador back to Italy following the biggest diplomatic dispute between the two countries since World War II. Source: Star Tribune
The demonstrations were sparked nearly three months ago by President Emmanuel Macron’s introduction of fuel taxes, but quickly morphed into a more general revolt against austerity measures, and the political establishment in general, despite a Government climb-down over the tax. Source: UN
