Why This G7 Global Summit Matters

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Hey everyone—

It’s Friday! Take some time this weekend to listen to the birds singing. Seriously.

Two new studies show that listening to some chirping is good for your mental health — even if it’s just recordings of birds. And the impact lasts hours after hearing them.

Also, thank you for all your support during our first week back with the daily newsletter. Keep spreading the word to subscribe!

Have a great weekend—

Mosheh, Jill, & Courtney

🗞 ON THE AGENDA: RUSSIA, CHINA, AI, NUKES

The G7 summit of the world’s advanced democracies is underway in Hiroshima, Japan and there’s a lot to discuss.

The location — the site of the first ever atomic bomb attack — is more than just symbolic this year as nuclear weapons are top of mind. China’s been building up its nuclear arsenal, North Korea has been testing nuclear-capable missiles at a record rate, Iran is developing its own atomic weapon, and Russia continues to play fast and loose with nuclear weapons rhetoric as it continues the war in Ukraine.

ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM
The two most-talked about countries at the summit will not be there: China and Russia.

SO WHO GOT THE INVITE?
The G7 (Group of 7) countries are the US, UK, Japan, Germany, France, Canada, and Italy. The Japanese Prime Minister also invited several other guest nations including South Korea, Australia, India, Brazil, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

It wasn’t that long ago that the G7 was actually the G8. Russia was “suspended” from the group in 2014 after invading and annexing Crimea from Ukraine.

THE WEEKEND AGENDA:

• CHINA: Project a united front when it comes to China, particularly in relation to the Beijing’s military threats against Taiwan and the South China Sea.

• UKRAINE: G7 leaders are expected to further tighten sanctions on Russian energy. They’re also set to hear from Ukrainian President Zelensky, who will ask for more weapons ahead of an anticipated counter-offensive. The question is how long the G7 can maintain aid to Ukraine as they all face increasing economic challenges at home. Their goal is to help Ukraine win back enough land in order to have more leverage in eventual peace talks with Russia.

• ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: For the first time, the G7 leaders will be talking about artificial intelligence programs like ChatGPT and how to regulate them. Europe is leading when it comes to AI regulations.

HI AND BYE
President Biden is cutting his trip short so he can get back to the U.S. Sunday for debt ceiling negotiations with Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Biden will be skipping stops in Papua New Guinea and Australia — where he was set to counter Chinese influence. But with the deadline to potential debt default now less than 14 days out, the White House felt he needed to urgently return home.

BTW: Two of the biggest buyers of U.S. debt are Japan (#1) and Britain (#3), who will be meeting with Biden at the G7 Summit.

FLASHBACK FRIDAY: GEORGE H.W. BUSH IN JAPAN
It’s just over 31 years since one infamous presidential visit to Japan. During a state visit in 1992, President George H.W. Bush fainted and vomited on Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa. Check out the quick response by first lady Barbara Bush. Doctors said Bush had acute gastroenteritis. Known for his sense of humor, the former president joked to a doctor upon waking up that he would have preferred to stay under the table for the rest of the dinner.

⏳ SPEED READ

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📌 Andy Warhol violated a photographer’s copyright on image of Prince, Supreme Court rules (USA TODAY)

📌 School librarians face a new penalty in the banned-book wars: Prison (WASHINGTON POST) 

📌 Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to launch presidential campaign on May 24 (CBS NEWS)

📌 Disney scraps plans for new Florida campus, mass employee relocation amid DeSantis feud (CNBC)

📌 FDA advisers back RSV vaccine for pregnant women that protects their newborns (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

📌 89 year-old Senator Dianne Feinstein's health issues were much more extensive than previously known (CBS NEWS)

📌 Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene files articles of impeachment against President Biden (THE HILL)

📌 Teens can now have their own Uber account (AXIOS)

📌 1 in 5 older adults skipped or delayed medications last year because of cost (NBC NEWS)

📌 NYC is sinking under the weight of its buildings, geologists warn (NY POST)

🗓 ON THIS DAY: MAY 19

1962: Marilyn Monroe serenaded President John F. Kennedy with an iconic rendition of “Happy Birthday” 10 days before his 45th birthday at a fundraiser at Madison Square Garden in NYC.

There were persistent rumors that Marilyn Monroe and JFK were having an affair at some point during his presidency.

1873 (tomorrow): Blue Jean Baby — Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis were granted a patent for using copper rivets to strengthen certain areas of trousers, notably pocket corners. The patent was credited with giving rise to blue jeans.

1884: The Ringling brothers opened a small circus in Baraboo, Wisconsin, and by the early 20th century had transformed it into the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the leading American circus.

1990: ‘Vogue’ by Madonna reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

2018: Prince Harry married Meghan Markle in a ceremony at Windsor Castle.