Reuters

U.S. President Joe Biden pledged to forcefully defend Ukraine against Russia’s invasion at the NATO summit in Washington on Tuesday, using the global stage to try to show allies at home and abroad that he can still lead.

Biden, 81, has endured 12 days of withering questions about his fitness for office as some of his fellow Democrats on Capitol Hill and campaign donors fear that he will lose the Nov. 5 election after a halting debate performance on June 27.

Taiwan says it detected China jets on way to Pacific drills

DW

Taiwanese Defence Minister told the media that his ministry had a “full grasp” of the Shandong’s movementsImage: Handout/Government Produced/AP Photo/picture alliance

China’s Shandong aircraft carrier passed near the northern Philippines on its way for exercises in the Pacific, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said. Taipei also reported dozens of Chinese aircraft joining the aircraft carrier for drills around the self-ruled island.

Taipei said on Wednesday that “since 0520 today (2150 UTC, Tuesday), the Ministry of National Defense detected a total of 37 Chinese aircraft” around Taiwan, including fighter jets, bombers and drones.

“[The aircraft] headed to the western Pacific via our southern and southeastern airspace to cooperate with the aircraft carrier the Shandong in conducting ‘joint sea and air training,'” the Defense Ministry said in its statement.

Israel’s war on Gaza live: At least 29 killed as Israel attacks Gaza school

Al Jazeera

A paramedic carries a child wounded during Israeli bombardment to the emergency ward at Nassr hospital in Khan Yunis

A paramedic carries a child wounded during Israeli bombardment to the emergency ward at Nassr hospital in Khan Yunis [Bashar Taleb/AFP]

An Israeli air strike has killed 29 Palestinians sheltering in tents outside a school in Abassan town, near Khan Younis in southern Gaza, the territory’s Government Media Office reports.

The attack is the fourth Israeli strike to hit a school building being used as a shelter in Gaza in four days and comes after Israel issued new mass evacuation orders for parts of Khan Younis and Gaza City, forcing tens of thousands to flee and causing the closure of three key hospitals.

Indonesia says its import tariff policy not targeted at any country

CGTN

Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan (L2) speaks during a meeting in Beijing, capital of China, April 12, 2018. /CFP

Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has dismissed speculations that it is targeting certain countries with its plan to impose import duties of up to 200 percent on certain products.

“We are not targeting any particular country, especially China. All measures are taken based on our national interest,” Luhut said in Jakarta on July 6.

Luhut explained that one step that has been taken so far is the extension of tariffs already imposed on several textile products. These tariffs apply to all imported goods, regardless of their origin, according to Antara News.

Samsung union calls for indefinite strike over pay

Nikkei Asia

 Company vows stability as union says chip production cut to cope with walkout

Members of the National Samsung Electronics Union begin a three-day strike outside the South Korean company’s foundry and semiconductor factory in Hwaseong on July 8. (Photo by AFP/Jiji)

The biggest trade union of Samsung Electronics asked its more than 30,000 members to join an all-out strike on Wednesday, raising tensions with management as the two sides lock horns over pay.

The National Samsung Electronics Union said the expanded strike will start on Thursday and last indefinitely, extending a three-day action that was supposed to end on Wednesday. The NSEU is demanding the company raise its union members’ basic pay by 3.5% as well as improve “untransparent” bonus payment rules.