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Finland and the United Kingdom signed a "Strategic Partnership Agreement” on May 20, stating that Russia poses the "most significant and direct threat" to peace and stability in Europe. Consequently, they pledged to cooperate to defend regional security and reaffirmed their joint support for Ukraine's steadfast position.

In a joint statement, British Foreign Minister David Cameron and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen pointed out that Russia's illegal aggression against Ukraine has fundamentally altered the security environment in Europe. Therefore, the UK will join forces with Finland to counter various threats from Russia, including disinformation, malicious cyber activities, and hybrid attacks. They also vowed to continue supporting Ukraine in its resistance against Russia and in the post-war reconstruction and modernization process.

Cameron emphasized that Finland is a long-standing partner of the UK and a NATO ally. He pledged to provide military assistance and training to Ukraine together with Finland and expand cooperation with Finland in technology, trade, investment, and combating illegal immigration based on shared values.

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Finland joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and signed a "Defense Cooperation Agreement" (DCA) with the United States, allowing US troops to enter Finnish bases. Finland has actively cooperated with NATO allies, participated in various joint exercises, and closed most of its borders with Russia in response to threats from Russia. The UK is a major supplier of military equipment to Ukraine.

The University of Massachusetts in Massachusetts held its graduation ceremony on the 16th, inviting NBA Celtics owner Robert Hale Jr. to be the keynote speaker. During his speech, he unexpectedly announced to the over 1,100 graduates present that each of them could receive $1000 (approximately NT$32,000) as long as they adhered to "one condition," totaling over $1.1 million (approximately NT$35.4 million).

According to CBS, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth held its graduation ceremony on the 16th and invited Robert Hale Jr., founder and CEO of Granite Telecommunications and a billionaire, to be the keynote speaker. During his speech, he suddenly announced that the over 1,100 graduates present could immediately receive $1,000 in cash as long as they agreed to "one condition," which was to "share."

Hale pointed out that in these difficult times, what society needs is sharing, caring, and giving back. "At this time, our community needs you and your generosity more than ever," he said. He stated that as long as the students promised to share $500 (approximately NT$16,000) of the money with someone who needs it more than themselves, each person could immediately receive $1,000 in cash.

Hale's generous gift at the graduation ceremony surprised and delighted the graduates. However, this isn't the first time Hale has employed his "money education" tactics. Last year, he also gave the same amount of graduation money to over 2,500 graduates at UMass Boston, and in 2021, he did the same for 230 graduates at Quincy College.

Hale founded Granite Telecommunications in 2002, headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts, USA, with business operations covering the US and Canada. According to Forbes magazine's estimates, Hale's net worth is $5.4 billion (approximately NT$173.7 billion), ranking him 572nd on the global billionaire list. He has donated over $270 million (approximately NT$8.69 billion) for cancer research, educational institutions, and other charitable purposes.

Italian Senator Lucio Malan rings The Bell of World Peace and Love, becoming the 552nd bell ringer globally.

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)