A top White House official on Friday said there was a “genuine possibility” for stable US-China relations, despite inherent competition and continuing tension between the two powers.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told the Aspen Security Forum that continuing diplomacy could address the rivalry between the two nations.
“There is a genuine possibility for a stable relationship, even though that relationship is inherently competitive, and will involve us doing things that Beijing doesn't like and will involve Beijing doing things that we don't like,” Mr Sullivan said.
“But diplomacy is all about being able to manage that set of structural factors and that is what we are engaged in right now.”
US-China relations have been fraught under President Joe Biden after Washington shot down an alleged Chinese spy balloon that was traversing North America earlier this year.
Other issues, such as American officials visiting Taiwan and US export bans on advanced technologies, have also put a dent in relations between the world's two largest economies.
In the past month, in an attempt to repair ties, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and climate envoy John Kerry have all travelled to China and met top officials.
During his address, Mr Sullivan also addressed speculation as to the whereabouts of China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who has not appeared in public since June 25.
“We don't know, we genuinely don't know,” he said.
On Ukraine, Mr Sullivan said Wagner Group mercenary fighters have left the country and gone to Belarus.
“Wagner is not fighting in Ukraine,” he said.
“Elements of Wagner have in fact moved to Belarus. Other elements are looking probably to go further afield.”
On Wednesday, the private army's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was seen in a video welcoming fighters to Belarus and telling them they should prepare to go to Africa.
Mr Sullivan also defended the Biden administration's decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine. The bombs, whose use has been banned by dozens of countries, provide “a better capacity to defend an onslaught from the Russians”, he said.
“We will give Ukraine what it needs, and at this time, it was a choice between cluster munitions or no shells at all, bridging a production gap in the quantity of shells Ukraine needs to defend itself.”
Cluster munitions explode above the ground and then release dozens or hundreds of smaller “bomblets” that scatter across a wide area.
The move was contentious because cluster munitions can kill and maim for decades after a conflict has ended.
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Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
'C'mon C'mon'
Director:Mike Mills
Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman
Rating: 4/5
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
ARGYLLE
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
On sale: now
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
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The biog
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
