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Your Monday briefing: the G7 ends

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The G7 summit concluded yesterday in Japan with leaders of the world’s major economies welcoming President Volodymyr Zelensky as guest of honor and reaffirming their support for Ukraine. But Russia claimed victory in Bakhmuteven though Ukraine says it still holds a few blocks of the city in ruins.

Even if Moscow trumpets a “Mission accomplished” moment, Ukraine still sees an opening to seize the initiative from the outskirts of the city if Russian forces no longer advance inside the city center.

The capture of Bakhmut by Russia would be a powerful symbolic success. But controlling it would not necessarily help Russia achieve its larger goal of conquering the eastern region of Donbass. In fact, some analysts say Russia’s ability to repel a broader counteroffensive could be compromised if it continues to send reinforcements to defend Bakhmut.

Comparison: Zelensky acknowledged that there were few Bakhmut left. He said he saw echoes of pain from Ukraine in pictures of the 1945 devastation in Hiroshimawhere the summit was held.

Other G7 updates:

  • F-16: President Biden reverse course, agreeing to let the Ukrainians be trained on the American-made jets. He told his allies that he was ready to approve the transfer of planes by other countries to Ukraine.

  • China: The G7 countries have said they will focus on “risk reduction, not decouplingfrom Beijing.

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

Pita Limjaroenrat recently stunned the Thai political establishment leading his progressive Move Forward party to a momentous victory in last week’s election. He looks set to become the next Prime Minister – unless the army blocks it.

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

Several senators have 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 blocked, an outcome that could plunge the country into political chaos.

Pita Policies: He vowed to undo the military’s grip on Thai politics and revise a law that criminalizes criticism of the monarchy. He is pushing for a return to democracy after nine years of military rule preceded by a coup. He also wants to take a firm stance on foreign policy.

A complaint: The election commission said Pita did not disclose that he owned shares in a now-defunct media company he inherited from his father. Pita said he reported the actions.

Some had been partners with the West for years. They were lawyers, human rights defenders or members of the Afghan government. During their travels in the United States, almost all are robbed or extorted, while some are kidnapped or imprisoned.

“I helped those Americans,” a former Afghan Air Force intelligence officer said from a detention center in Texas, sometimes on the verge of tears. “I don’t understand why they don’t help me.”

A Dangerous Journey: Since the start of 2022, some 3,600 Afghans have crossed the treacherous Darien Gap, which connects North and South America, according to data from Panama.

Report : My colleagues traveled with a group of 54 Afghans through the Darien Gap.

Zibo, a once obscure city in China’s Shandong province, is suddenly overrun with tourists. They arrived after hearing about his distinctive barbeque style on social media.

Lives Lived: Martin Amis’ dark and comic novels changed British fiction. He died at 73.

THE Architecture Biennale which opened on Saturday in Venice explores how the cultures of Africa can shape the buildings of the future.

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

THE artwork by Sechaba Maape, which is inspired by South Africa’s First Nations and their connection to nature, is featured in that country’s national pavilion. Overall, architecture began to tend towards biomimicry, in which the built environment mimics the natural environment. African design, says Maape, has always done this through pattern and form. The response in Venice and on social media has been overwhelming, he said.

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

A Rob Roywhich replaces the rye with Scotch, is a more musky version of a classic Manhattan.

In “white buildinga coming-of-age story richly observed in Cambodia, the story of an apartment complex reflects the recent and turbulent history of the country.

Listen to new tracks from Bad Bunny, Sparks, Anohni and more in our weekly reading list.

Spend 36 hours in Buenos Aires.

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