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Biden aces G7 exam with flying colours | TICKER VIEWS
President Joe Biden accomplished what he wanted to do in his first outing as America’s leader on the world stage: to demonstrate that America is back and that the United States is again the principal leader of Western democracies.
Biden was warmly welcomed, and all the heads of government – from G7 host Boris Johnson to Japan’s Prime Minister Suga – were clearly in concert and at ease with Biden’s embrace of a renewed agenda to make the world healthier, safer, more secure and more prosperous.
In his press conference at the conclusion of the meeting, Biden said:
“Over the past few weeks, the nations of the G7 have affirmed that democratic values that underpin everything we hope to achieve in our shared future, that we’re committed to put them to work: One, delivering vaccines and ending the pandemic. Two, driving substantial, inclusive economic recovery around the world. Three, in fueling infrastructure development in places that most badly need it. And four, in fighting climate change.”
Biden called out the threats and challenges posed by both Russia and China. In his upcoming meeting with Vladimir Putin, Biden will not be intimidated by Russian provocation. Where the US and Russia can work constructively together, they will.
Where they face divergent interests, those will be contested.
Biden brings in Western allies to have competitive stance towards China
With respect to China, Biden is determined that the Western allies be competitive with China on global infrastructure and meet China’s challenges on and actions on human rights and forced labour – Xinjiang and Hong Kong were explicitly mentioned – and the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.
Biden believed it was essential to have in place these extensive consultations and the convergence on views that emerged before seeing Putin this week. This process will continue at NATO tomorrow.
However, it has also served as a predicate for a meeting with China’s President Xi, and we can now expect movement towards a Biden-Xi summit later this year.
Biden is intent to have in hand – and to use – the leverage of this alignment for the US with all the Western leaders in his discussions with Russia and China.
Behind the smiles, is America’s democracy under continuous pressure?
Behind the smiles and arm-in-arm walks Biden enjoyed with his colleagues, there remain significant doubts about how enduring America’s renewal as the indispensable Western leader will be.
The G7 and NATO leaders know that the forces of Trump and Trumpism – its isolationism, nativism, and nationalism – remain potent, and that America’s democracy is under continuous pressure.
Biden made the most of the moment, “I noticed there was a lot of coverage of my individual comments made by my colleagues about how we were all getting along together.
But the truth of the matter is: We did.
It wasn’t — I felt it wasn’t about me, but it was about America. I felt a genuine sense of enthusiasm that America was back at the table and fully, fully engaged.”
For the balance if his presidency, this is Biden’s road.
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Boeing 787 crashes in India, 242 on board
Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashes in India en route to London, injuring passengers amidst safety and production challenges for Boeing.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashes in India en route to London, injuring passengers amidst safety and production challenges for Boeing.
An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, while flying to London, injuring many passengers. This incident poses significant issues for Boeing, which is already dealing with safety concerns, and has prompted condolences from both Indian and U.K. leaders.
A Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operated by Air India, crashed in Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2025, while en route to London’s Gatwick Airport.
The aircraft departed at 1:38 p.m. local time with 230 passengers, including 169 Indians, 53 British, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals.
Air India confirmed that injured passengers are being taken to nearby hospitals.
The 787 Dreamliner had operated for 14 years without a fatal incident before this crash.
Boeing response
Boeing expressed awareness of the situation and is gathering more information, although shares dropped drastically following the news.
This incident presents a significant challenge for Boeing, which has faced safety and production issues recently.
Local media reported smoke emanating from the crash site, and emergency responders were seen transporting individuals on stretchers.
The plane lost location data at 625 feet altitude and descending at 475 feet per minute before the crash.
The incident occurred in a residential area, prompting condolences from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who stated his government will assist local authorities.
Air India, recently acquired by Tata Sons, has been navigating difficulties as the former state-run carrier.
The jet crash is part of a troubling year for aviation, following other serious incidents, including a 2018-2019 Boeing 737 MAX crash that resulted in over 300 fatalities.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed concern for affected families as the situation unfolds.
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Pentagon reviews AUKUS deal to align with Trump’s agenda
Pentagon reassesses AUKUS deal to align with Trump’s America First policy amid concerns over alliance readiness and U.S. delivery capacity.
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Markets react as inflation cools and the Fed watches on
New US-China trade pact raises questions; cooler inflation hints at possible Fed rate cuts, while markets react to rising crude oil and a strong ASX outlook.
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