Your Monday Briefing: The G7 Wraps

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The G7 summit ended yesterday in Japan with the world’s major economic leaders welcoming President Volodymyr Zelensky as their guest of honor and reaffirming their support for Ukraine. But Russia declared victory in Bakhmut, although Ukraine said several blocks of the city were still in ruins.

Although Moscow declared “Mission Accomplished” for the moment, Ukraine still sees an opening to seize the initiative from the outskirts of the city if Russian forces do not advance further into the city center.

The Russian capture of Bakhmut would be a powerful symbolic success. But restraint does not necessarily help Russia toward its larger goal of conquering the eastern Donbas region. In fact, some analysts say Russia’s ability to withstand a broader counterattack could be compromised if it continues to send reinforcements to defend Bakhmut.

Comparison: Zelensky admits there are only remnants of Bakhmut. He said he saw Ukraine’s pain in images of the destruction in Hiroshima in 1945, where the summit was held.

More updates from the G7:

  • F-16s: President Biden reversed course, agreeing to allow Ukrainians to be trained in American-made jets. He told his allies that he was ready to approve other countries transferring jets to Ukraine.

  • China: The G7 countries said they would focus on “de-risking, not decoupling” from Beijing.

  • Japan: Critics say the US ambassador to Tokyo, Rahm Emanuel, is pushing for gay rights.

Pita Limjaroenrat recently stunned Thailand’s political establishment by leading the progressive Move Forward Party to an important victory in last week’s election. He looks poised to become the next prime minister – unless the military blocks him.

Pita needs 376 votes from the 500-member House of Representatives to overcome the military-appointed Senate. So far, he has only 314.

Some senators said they would not support a candidate like Pita, who threatens the status quo. Now, Thais are waiting to see if their choice will be allowed to lead or if they will be blocked, an outcome that could plunge the country into political chaos.

Pita Policy: He has promised to undo the military’s grip on Thai politics and change laws that criminalize criticism of the monarchy. He pushed for a return to democracy after nine years of military rule preceded by a coup. He also wants to take a strong foreign policy stance.

Complaints: The Electoral Commission said Pita failed to disclose that he owned shares in a now-defunct media company that he inherited from his father. Pita said he reported the stock.

Some have partnered with West for years. They are lawyers, human rights defenders or members of the Afghan government. During the trip to the US, almost all were robbed or robbed, while some were kidnapped or imprisoned.

“I helped these Americans,” the former Afghan Air Force intelligence officer said from a detention center in Texas, at times close to tears. “I don’t know why they didn’t help me.”

A dangerous journey: Since the beginning of 2022, about 3,600 Afghans have crossed the treacherous Darién Gap, which connects North and South America, according to data from Panama.

Report: My friends traveled with 54 Afghans through the Darién Gap.

Zibo, a once obscure town in China’s Shandong Province, has suddenly been invaded by tourists. He came after hearing about his distinctive style of barbecue on social media.

Living life: Martin Amis’s bleakly comic novels changed English fiction. He died at the age of 73.

The Architecture Biennale that opens Saturday in Venice explores how cultures from Africa can shape the buildings of the future.

For the first time, the exhibition will have a curator of African descent, Lesley Lokko, and more than half of the Biennale’s 89 participants are from Africa or the African diaspora.

Sechaba Maape’s work, inspired by South Africa’s first country and its relationship with nature, is on display at the country’s national pavilion. Globally, architecture has begun to trend towards biomimicry, in which the built environment imitates the natural environment. African design, says Maape, always does this with patterns and shapes. The response in Venice and on social media has been overwhelming, he said.

“Architecture should be something that instead of separating us from our home, the Earth, should help us feel more mediated, more connected,” Maape told Lynsey Chutel, author of Briefings in Johannesburg.

A Rob Roy, which swaps out rye for Scotch, is a muskier take on the classic Manhattan.

In “White Building,” a richly observed coming-of-age story from Cambodia, the story of the apartment complex mirrors the recent history of the country’s fraught.

Hear new tracks by Bad Bunny, Sparks, Anohni and more in our weekly playlist.

Spend 36 hours in Buenos Aires.

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