Yellen’s visit to China: How relations between the two big economies will be better for the United States and the rest of the world

But the secretary hopes to forge stronger communications with China’s new economic leaders in an effort to avoid an deeper souring of relations between the world’s two biggest economies. Her visit — her first to China as Treasury Secretary — comes less than three weeks after Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing.

This week, China announced new limits on exports of key minerals used in making semiconductors and solar panels. The move is to promote national security, according to the Chinese Commerce Ministry.

It could also be seen as retaliation for export limits the U.S. has directed at China. The Wall Street Journal reports that the Biden administration is considering limiting the ability of China to get U.S.-based cloud computing services.

Relations between the two countries have also been strained by close calls between U.S. and Chinese warships and the flight of a Chinese spy balloon over the U.S.

She has defended U.S. efforts to keep high-tech tools out of the hands of the Chinese military but insists the US isn’t trying to sever economic ties with China.

A separation of the economies would be disastrous for both countries, according to a speech in April by the Fed chair. It would be a challenge for the rest of the world.

Potential cooperation between the us and China on global challenges such as climate change and the debt burden facing poor countries is expected to be discussed by Yellen.

“China and the United States can and need to find a way to live together and share in global prosperity,” Yellen said in her April speech. “We can acknowledge our differences, defend our own interests, and compete fairly.”

Up First Briefing Yellen inchina Meta Launches Threads synagogue-rubble-unearth: All You Need to know Before You Start Your Day

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Facebook’s parent company Meta launched Threads late yesterday. The text based version of the app could be an alternative to Musk’s. More than 10 million people have joined in the first seven hours since the app was launched.

There’s a real demand for electric vehicles in the United States. But a lack of public charging stations remains the biggest barrier to electric vehicle ownership.

There’s a growing bipartisan push in local and state governments for tougher laws against drug dealers selling fentanyl, methamphetamines and xylazine. But a growing body of research suggests a tougher approach could harm people with addictions and worsen the overdose crisis.

Source: https://www.npr.org/2023/07/06/1186158660/up-first-briefing-yellen-in-china-meta-launches-threads-synagogue-rubble-unearth

Amini: Woman, Life, Freedom and the U.S. Women’s March for the Good, for the Poor and for the Better Country

Texas’ abortion laws do not allow for exceptions when a fetus is found with a fatal condition. If you’re a pregnant woman, you can either get an abortion out-of-state or carry the baby to term. Lauren Miller had one of the fetuses aborted to protect herself and the healthy twin. Samantha Casiano gave birth to Halo, who later died of anencephaly. The two mothers share their complicated pregnancy stories.

The Iranian woman died in September after being held by the morality police for not covering her hair adequately. The slogan, ” Woman, Life, Freedom” inspired many local and global protest movements. In the U.S., Iranian artists have taken their work to the streets to keep Amini’s story in the public eye and reflect on their hopes for a better country. See some of their art and the stories behind their works.