Monday, June 14

*) G7 vows action on Covid vaccines and climate change G7 leaders have vowed to start delivering one billion doses of Covid vaccines and step up action on climate change. The leaders of the rich countries' club largely responded to US President Joe Biden’s push to regain the West’s cohesion after Donald Trump’s tenure. The Group of Seven agreed to increase climate finance contributions and meet an overdue spending pledge of $100 billion a year to help poorer countries. *) Naftali Bennett sworn in as Israel’s new prime minister Israel's parliament has voted in favour of a new government to end Benjamin Netanyahu’s 12-year consecutive tenure as premier. Ultra-nationalist Naftali Bennett will head the new cabinet for a little over two years before his centrist ally Yair Lapid takes over. Palestinians described Bennett’s take over as “internal Israeli affairs”, saying they didn’t expect any positive changes from the post-Netanyahu government. *) Erdogan: Turkey and US must leave troubles behind at NATO meeting Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he and US President Joe Biden must use Monday’s meeting to move on from past troubles. Erdogan said a wide range of issues, including a dispute over Turkey’s purchase of Russian air defence systems, will be discussed during the meeting. Ties between the two NATO allies are strained over the US supporting YPG terrorists in Syria, harbouring FETO leader Fetullah Gulen, and removing Turkey from the F-35 jet programme. *) New Zealand’s Arden criticises Christchurch film amid uproar New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has criticised a planned movie about her response to the Christchurch attacks. Ardern said the movie is poorly timed and focused on the wrong subject. The US-backed film “They Are Us” sparked a backlash among New Zealand Muslims who slammed the project for pushing a “white saviour” narrative. In 2019, a white supremacist gunman had killed 51 people and wounded 40 others at two mosques during Friday prayers. And finally ... *) D