More than 30 countries are waiting to join the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), adding to its 57 founding members, its president said on Friday. Jin did not identify the prospective members. Almost many major U.S. allies – Australia, Britain, German, Italy, the Philippines and South Korea – have joined. 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
