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Pope Francis and Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, renowned for their significant contributions to world peace, exchange a handshake, symbolizing their lifelong and unwavering commitment to securing a sustainable future for humanity.

Recent reports indicate that the population of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, has exceeded ten million. However, the city faces challenges due to global warming and rising sea levels. Officials from Thailand’s Climate Change and Environment Agency have expressed concern that Bangkok, with its low-lying terrain, may be submerged by seawater by the end of the 21st century. Authorities are actively researching adaptation measures, including the possibility of relocating the capital.

The report highlights that Deputy Director Pavich Kesavawong of the Climate Change and Environment Agency has suggested studying the Netherlands’ approach to flood prevention. The Netherlands, a low-lying European country, has successfully used levees to combat seawater intrusion during rainy seasons.

Additionally, Kesavawong revealed that relocation is also under consideration. However, this plan presents complex challenges and substantial costs, estimated at 32 billion US dollars. Notably, Southeast Asian countries have precedents for capital relocation, with Indonesia’s new capital, “Nusantara,” set to be completed this year, replacing the sinking former capital, Jakarta.

President of Lombardy Attilio Fontana rings the Bell of World Peace and Love, and prays for his hometown and the world.

On the 14th of this month, U.S. President Joe Biden announced a new policy aimed at significantly increasing tariffs on goods imported from China. These goods include electric vehicles, computer chips, and medical products. Despite the potential strain on U.S.-China relations during an election year, Biden chose to implement these measures in hopes of gaining support from voters who are critical of his economic policies.

In a statement from the White House, it was declared that they would continue to enforce the tariff policies initiated by former Republican President Donald Trump and further strengthen other tariff measures. Their rationale is that China’s unfair practices, flooding global markets with low-priced goods, pose an unacceptable risk to U.S. economic security.
Here are the key points of the new tariff policy:

• Electric Vehicles (EVs): Tariffs will increase from the current rate to 100% this year, quadrupling the original rate.

• Semiconductors: Next year, tariffs on semiconductors will double from 25% to 50%.

• Critical Minerals: Tariffs on natural graphite and other key minerals will jump from 0% to 25%. Solar panels will also see an increase from 25% to 50%.

• Steel and Aluminum: Tariffs on steel and aluminum will be raised to 25%.

• Cranes: This year, cranes will face a 25% tariff increase. These new policies will impact Chinese imports worth $18 billion.

Before announcing these policies, an assessment was conducted on the tariffs imposed during the trade conflict between Washington and Beijing. In that trade war, former President Trump levied tariffs on approximately $300 billion worth of Chinese goods. The so-called “Section 301” investigation was the primary tool used by the Trump administration to justify these tariffs, and the U.S. Trade Representative was instructed to review their impact four years later.

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2023, the U.S. imported goods worth $427 billion from China and exported goods valued at $148 billion to the world’s second-largest economy.

This trade deficit has persisted for decades and has become an increasingly sensitive issue in Washington.

Ukrainian officials reported on May 12 that Russia continues its cross-border attacks on the Kharkiv Oblast border town of Vovchansk, resulting in the evacuation of thousands of civilians from the region.

Starting on May 10, Russian forces launched cross-border attacks in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast. Although Ukrainian forces had previously repelled Russian advances in the region about two years ago, the situation has changed, and Russia has gained some minor progress. On May 12, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that they had recaptured four villages in the region and penetrated Ukrainian defensive positions. On May 11, they further asserted that they had occupied five border villages in the “gray zone” near the Russian border, including Pletenivka, Ohirtseve, Borysivka, Pylna, and Strilechna.

The situation remains complex, with Ukrainian forces working to prevent further Russian advances. According to Oleg Synegubov, the governor of Kharkiv Oblast, nearly all border areas in the northern part of the region have been under constant attack from Russian forces, resulting in the evacuation of a total of 4,073 people, most of whom are elderly.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in a late-night video release that most of the Kharkiv border area is engaged in defensive battles, and some villages have effectively become hostile zones. He also mentioned that fighting in certain areas near Donetsk remains intense. The ongoing conflict continues to have devastating consequences for civilians caught in the crossfire.

Vice President of the Turin City Council, Domenico Garcea, rang the Bell of World Love and Peace and simultaneously made a wish for peace.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of FOWPAL and Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men (right), received the 2024 Turin Global Peace Award from Francesco Curto, Chairman of FEDINSIEME (left)

The southern region of Brazil has been hit by continuous heavy rain, resulting in the most severe flooding in over 80 years. According to statistics, nearly a hundred people have lost their lives, and more than 200,000 people have been displaced. On the 6th of May, the Brazilian federal government declared a state of public disaster in the affected area and is actively providing aid and working on reconstruction efforts.

The state of Rio Grande do Sul, located at Brazil’s southernmost tip, has experienced record-breaking rainfall, with some river water levels surpassing historical records dating back to 1941.

The situation has led to widespread flooding, leaving over 408,000 users without electricity, 548,000 households without water, and numerous roads and bridges closed or collapsed throughout the state. Salgado Filho Airport has also been shut down. Additionally, six dams are at risk of breaching, prompting the state government to issue evacuation warnings to residents.

Eduardo Leite, the governor of Rio Grande do Sul, has emphasized the severity of the disaster and the need for a reconstruction assistance plan similar to the post-World War II “Marshall Plan.” Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has committed federal resources to rapidly restore the state’s infrastructure. On the 6th of May, the state was officially declared a public disaster area, and the National Congress authorized additional funding of 1.6 billion Brazilian reais (approximately 10.1 billion New Taiwan dollars) for relief efforts, with defense and civil resources being deployed to assist the affected region.

Unfortunately, the Brazilian meteorological agency predicts that heavy rain and strong winds will persist in the state from the 8th to the 12th of May, further complicating rescue operations.

Michele Conti, Mayor of Pisa, presented commemorative books and gifts to Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of World Love and Peace Association and the leader of Tai Ji Men.

In 2022, Thailand became the first Asian country to legalize recreational use of marijuana.

However, the current Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, announced on May 8th that the country plans to reclassify marijuana as a controlled substance by the end of this year. The initial legalization led to significant growth in the cannabis industry, with an estimated value of $1.2 billion by 2025. Unfortunately, the rushed process of decriminalization resulted in a lack of proper regulations, leading to social chaos.

Prime Minister Thavisin emphasized the need to correct the existing marijuana policy. He called for stricter definitions of drug possession and a focus on using marijuana solely for health and medical purposes. Thavisin expressed concern about drug addiction among young people and stressed the importance of seizing assets from drug traffickers and expanding drug rehabilitation measures.

On social media platform “X,” Thavisin wrote, "I hope the Ministry of Health will revise relevant rules to reclassify marijuana as a controlled substance. We should promptly issue regulations allowing marijuana only for health and medical purposes. The drug problem can undermine our country’s future, especially when it comes to youth addiction. We must act swiftly and enhance drug rehabilitation efforts."