Rome Hosts First G7 Defense Ministers’ Meeting
Rome is preparing to organize the first-ever G7 Defense Ministers’ Meeting,
as announced by Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto,
without specifying a date for the event.
Rome
Crosetto mentioned that a G7 meeting dedicated to defense had never been held before, but this year, for the first time, it will be in Italy, saying, “I strongly wanted the G7 to address the issue of defense.” He added during his participation in the Globsec Forum, which primarily discusses European defense and foreign policy, “I find it absurd that the G7 deals with tourism but never addresses defense.” Italy is chairing the G7 this year, and besides Italy, the group includes Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
China
China’s manufacturing activity drops to a six-month low.
Manufacturing activity in China fell to a six-month low in August, with retail prices at factories declining and new orders slowing, putting pressure on policymakers to push forward with plans for more household stimulus. The National Bureau of Statistics’ Purchasing Managers’ Index dropped to 49.1 from 49.4 in July, marking the sixth consecutive decline and the fourth reading below the 50-point threshold that separates growth from contraction. It was also below the median expectation of 49.5 in a Reuters poll.
Trump
Harris urges Trump to keep “microphones on at all times” during the upcoming debate.
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, scheduled to face her Republican rival Donald Trump in a debate on September 10, urged Trump on Saturday, August 31, to keep the microphones on throughout the debate. Harris and Trump agreed to hold a debate hosted by ABC News. So-called “open or hot microphones” could either help or hurt the candidates, as they can pick up comments that may not be appropriate for the general public. Keeping the microphones on also prevents one candidate from interrupting the other.
Rome Hosts First G7 Defense Ministers’ Meeting