There have been 160 shootings in the United States of America this year itself. The topic of gun violence is deeply divisive in America. Gun politics within American politics is defines by two primary opposing ideologies about civilian gun ownership mainly those who advocate for gun control and those that advocate for gun rights.

Mass shootings on the rise in America

As republicans gear up for the 2024 presidential election, Joe Biden sees his approval rating plummet. A new poll suggests at least 40 states disapprove of the incumbent U.S. president.

US: Joe Biden's approval ratings plummet | World News | WION

Concerns over the potential dual-use of research station as China speeds up construction of its new station in Antarctica. Western experts say that the station could be used for espionage, something China denies. Clearly another potential flashpoint between the US & China.

Race to become polar superpower | World News | WION

Alphabet's Google has had a major legal victory in a decade-old case after it was able to covince a US court to cancel at least three patent infringement claims against its chrome browser.

Google wins decade-long legal case in US

New details continue to emerge from the top secret documents, now better known as the Pentagon leaks. According to the Washington Post, one of the documents say that Chinese military may soon deploy a high altitude spy drone that travels at least three times the speed of sound.

Pentagon leaks: China readies supersonic spy drone unit, says leaked documents | World News | WION

Shooting of a black teen in Kansas in the US last week has once again opened the conversation about racial discrimination. In the US, an 84-year-old white man turned himself in for a shooting incident and was charged with first degree assault after he shot a 16-year-old black teen boy.

US: Black teen shot after arriving at the wrong door in Kansas

Sudan's rival fighting sides have agreed a 24-hour ceasefire after deadly fighting engulfed the capital and saw a US diplomatic convoy fired upon. The conflict between the Sudanese army and a paramilitary group known as the RSF broke out four days ago and has killed at least 185, triggering a humanitarian crisis.

Sudan conflict: 24-hour ceasefire agreed after at least 185 people killed

A Moscow court jailed kremlin critic for 25 years after a trial he and the west said was politically motivated. Vladimir Kara-Murza holds Russian & UK passports. The kremlin critic had lobbied western governments for sanctions & individual Russians for purported rights violations. The ministry accused the envoys of interference in Russia's internal affairs & activity incompatible with diplomatic status. The 3 ambassadors had made a joint appearance in front of tv cameras on the steps of the Moscow court to condemn the verdict against Kara-Murza. UK envoy Deborah Bronnert delivered her remarks in Russian so that Russian-language channels could potentially broadcast them. In a statement, the ministry called Bronnert's remarks inappropriate & provocative. The statement added the ambassador's remarks ran counter to the British Embassy's status & diplomatic norms. Russia warned US envoy that it would quash attempts to incite discord.

Russia summons US, UK and Canada envoys | Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza jailed for 25 years

China is working extremely hard from making diplomatic inroads to making footprints in world's most remote frontiers in order to gain polar power by the end of the decade, U.S. is not behind. U.S. is countering China's quest of global influence.

U.S. seeks to counter China in the Pacific | WION Newspoint

A report by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the US Department of Defense (DOD) spends around one billion dollars every year to develop what is known as “directed energy” weapons.&nbsp;

The weapons in question essentially fire concentrated electromagnetic energy or simply known as lasers. However, this military technology is also something that the American taxpayers are now paying at least a billion dollars for. So this is how it is being used.&nbsp;

According to the report, the DOD has developed high-energy lasers that have “successfully shot down drones in demonstrations.” The GAO who reportedly visited these defence facilities also found how the US military is working on making laser weapons small and light enough to be used by one person.&nbsp;

The Pentagon too is experimenting with high-powered microwave weapons which could potentially penetrate solid objects and this technology has several implications including, disrupting the enemy’s power source, sensors and other electronics, said the GAO.&nbsp;

Similarly, a Congressional Research Service (CRS), a non-partisan organisation which conducts research for lawmakers, in its analysis, last year, found that these high-energy lasers and microwave weapons could be useful for short-range air defence, against drones as well as to counter rocket, artillery and mortar fire, reported CBS News.&nbsp;

The CRS also found that these lasers are not only affordable but also more efficient than conventional weapons.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the GAO noted how various branches of the US military have already tested these powerful lasers. Reportedly, the US Navy has tested them on drones and small boats while the Air Force has developed a laser which can be attached to its aircraft.&nbsp;

“DOD has pursued these potentially transformative technologies for decades because they could provide considerable advantages,” stated the GAO, in its report. It added, “They can deliver destructive or disruptive effects to targets at the speed of light and have potentially significant advantages over kinetic weapons, such as missiles, including lower per-use cost.”&nbsp;

However, the GAO report finds that the departments have had difficulty “getting these technologies out of the lab and into the field for several reasons” which include determining how to use them for different missions. Additionally, the DOD’s “efforts to transition prototypes to acquisition programs face challenges,” said the government agency.&nbsp; 
 
But this is not the only hurdle that these weapons face, as directed energy weapons also have legal and functional limitations, including some laser systems being restricted under international treaties.&nbsp;

For example, the United Nations has banned laser weapons specifically designed to cause permanent blindness, while previous prototypes have reportedly been affected by atmospheric conditions like rain or fog.&nbsp;

Therefore, before these “direct energy” weapons can be put to actual use on missions, simply powering them remains a challenge, not to mention the development of new tactics to deploy this novel weaponry.&nbsp;

“As a novel technology, (directed energy) weapons require the development of new tactics, techniques and procedures — processes by which the warfighter knows how best to use a particular technology in an operational environment,” the GAO noted.&nbsp; 
 
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A report by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the US Department of Defense (DOD) spends around one billion dollars every year to develop what is known as “directed energy” weapons.

A report by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the US Department of Defense (DOD) spends around one billion dollars every year to develop what is known as “directed energy” weapons. The weapons in question essentially fire concentrated electromagnetic energy or simply known as lasers. However, this military technology is also something that the American taxpayers are now paying at least a billion dollars for. So this is how it is being used. According to the report, the DOD has developed high-energy lasers that have “successfully shot down drones in demonstrations.” The GAO who reportedly visited these defence facilities also found how the US military is working on making laser weapons small and light enough to be used by one person. The Pentagon too is experimenting with high-powered microwave weapons which could potentially penetrate solid objects and this technology has several implications including, disrupting the enemy’s power source, sensors and other electronics, said the GAO. Similarly, a Congressional Research Service (CRS), a non-partisan organisation which conducts research for lawmakers, in its analysis, last year, found that these high-energy lasers and microwave weapons could be useful for short-range air defence, against drones as well as to counter rocket, artillery and mortar fire, reported CBS News. The CRS also found that these lasers are not only affordable but also more efficient than conventional weapons. Meanwhile, the GAO noted how various branches of the US military have already tested these powerful lasers. Reportedly, the US Navy has tested them on drones and small boats while the Air Force has developed a laser which can be attached to its aircraft. “DOD has pursued these potentially transformative technologies for decades because they could provide considerable advantages,” stated the GAO, in its report. It added, “They can deliver destructive or disruptive effects to targets at the speed of light and have potentially significant advantages over kinetic weapons, such as missiles, including lower per-use cost.” However, the GAO report finds that the departments have had difficulty “getting these technologies out of the lab and into the field for several reasons” which include determining how to use them for different missions. Additionally, the DOD’s “efforts to transition prototypes to acquisition programs face challenges,” said the government agency. But this is not the only hurdle that these weapons face, as directed energy weapons also have legal and functional limitations, including some laser systems being restricted under international treaties. For example, the United Nations has banned laser weapons specifically designed to cause permanent blindness, while previous prototypes have reportedly been affected by atmospheric conditions like rain or fog. Therefore, before these “direct energy” weapons can be put to actual use on missions, simply powering them remains a challenge, not to mention the development of new tactics to deploy this novel weaponry. “As a novel technology, (directed energy) weapons require the development of new tactics, techniques and procedures — processes by which the warfighter knows how best to use a particular technology in an operational environment,” the GAO noted. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pentagon spends $1 billion every year to develop ‘directed energy’ weapons

According to a report by the Spanish organisation safeguard defenders, 54 secret Chinese police stations were reported in 2021. A year later, in December 2022, reportedly 48 more stations emerged.

China's 'secret police station': 34 people charged for creating 'troll farm' | World News | WION

China's secret police stations: 2 held for operating the secret stations in New York | WION

US officials have arrested two men on allegations they operated a "secret police station" in New York City on behalf of China. The two are charged with conspiring to act as agents for the Chinese government.

Two held for operating 'secret Chinese police station' in NYC

According to a report by the Spanish organisation safeguard defenders, 54 secret Chinese police stations were reported in 2021. A year later, in December 2022, reportedly 48 more stations emerged. After they were exposed in Netherlands & Spain last year, around 13 countries began probing the matter. US officials have arrested two New York residents. For allegedly helping establish a secret Chinese police station in Manhattan's Chinatown. This is the first time such a police case has been filed and an action has been taken by the US.

China'a secret police stations: US attorney says, 'China violated our national sovereignty' | WION

A Christian worker has sued his employer in the U.S. supreme court for being asked to work on Sunday. He accuses the postal service company of religious discrimination. Do your religious beliefs make you more deserving of leaves at work? Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Christian worker refuses to work on Sunday | Religion makes you entitled of leaves?

Scientists have discovered a hole in the Pacific Ocean which spews hot liquid from inside. What is this doom hole capable of? Is climate change puncturing the ocean floors? Molly Gambhir brings you a report.

Gravitas: Will the Pacific Ocean witness a mega quake?

Four people have been killed in a mass shooting at a 'sweet 16' birthday party in Alabama. This is the third high-profile mass shooting in U.S. in less than a month. Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Four killed in 'Sweet 16' birthday party in Alabama

In Sudan, combat between the army and paramilitaries has resulted in at least 1,800 injuries and 200 fatalities. Aid attempts over the weekend have been hindered as a result of hospitals being damaged in the urban warfare.

Sudan: US diplomatic convoy attacked; fears of regional spillover

A Russian court, on Tuesday (April 18) denied bail for the United States’ Wall Street Journal reporter, Evan Gershkovich who has been arrested and faces up to 20 years in prison. The journalist has since denied accusations that he is a spy and appeared in a court in Moscow to appeal a decision to keep him in pre-trial detention in a former KGB prison until at least May 29.

What happened during the hearing?

Gershkovich was arrested, on March 29, by the Russian FSB security service in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, on espionage charges and might face up to decades in prison.&nbsp;The partly open hearing began, on Tuesday, where Gershkovich stood behind a glass wall of an enclosure for defendants wearing jeans and a blue checkered shirt.&nbsp;

The US ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy was also in the courtroom and was ushered along with the press during the hearing and was only allowed back for the decision at the end of the hearing.

A judge read out the ruling and said his detention “should remain in place.” Subsequently, Gershkovich responded in Russian, “All understood. Thank you very much,” reported AFP. 
 
The court documents showed nothing more than some details about the case while the Moscow court said that it was forbidden to publish some documents, as per Reuters. 
 
After the hearing,&nbsp;one of his lawyers,&nbsp;Maria Korchagina told AFP that&nbsp;Gershkovich has retained his "fighting spirit" and "working out and he knows that people are supporting him".&nbsp;

US reiterates calls for Gershkovich’s release

In a statement, on Monday, Tracy said that the WSJ reporter, “feels well and is holding up. We reiterate our call for Evan’s immediate release,” after visiting him.&nbsp; 
 
Speaking about the US ambassador’s visit White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said, “It was good to get to see him today and again we want to make sure we can continue to do that.”&nbsp;

Last week the US also said that Gershkovich has been “wrongfully detained” and that the spy charges against him are bogus including President Joe Biden who has called his imprisonment “totally illegal”.

Spy charges against Gershkovich

Notably, the WSJ reporter is the first foreign journalist arrested on spying allegations since the collapse of the Soviet Union while Moscow said that he was caught “red-handed” for allegedly collecting what Moscow has said were state secrets about the military-industrial complex.&nbsp; 
 
Gershkovich is currently being held at the Lefortovo prison along with others accused of treason and espionage in Moscow which in Soviet times was run by the KGB but is now operated by the Federal Penitentiary Service.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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A Russian court, on Tuesday (April 18) denied bail for the United States’ Wall Street Journal reporter, Evan Gershkovich who has been arrested and faces up to 20 years in prison.

A Russian court, on Tuesday (April 18) denied bail for the United States’ Wall Street Journal reporter, Evan Gershkovich who has been arrested and faces up to 20 years in prison. The journalist has since denied accusations that he is a spy and appeared in a court in Moscow to appeal a decision to keep him in pre-trial detention in a former KGB prison until at least May 29. What happened during the hearing? Gershkovich was arrested, on March 29, by the Russian FSB security service in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, on espionage charges and might face up to decades in prison. The partly open hearing began, on Tuesday, where Gershkovich stood behind a glass wall of an enclosure for defendants wearing jeans and a blue checkered shirt. The US ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy was also in the courtroom and was ushered along with the press during the hearing and was only allowed back for the decision at the end of the hearing. A judge read out the ruling and said his detention “should remain in place.” Subsequently, Gershkovich responded in Russian, “All understood. Thank you very much,” reported AFP. The court documents showed nothing more than some details about the case while the Moscow court said that it was forbidden to publish some documents, as per Reuters. After the hearing, one of his lawyers, Maria Korchagina told AFP that Gershkovich has retained his "fighting spirit" and "working out and he knows that people are supporting him". US reiterates calls for Gershkovich’s release In a statement, on Monday, Tracy said that the WSJ reporter, “feels well and is holding up. We reiterate our call for Evan’s immediate release,” after visiting him. Speaking about the US ambassador’s visit White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said, “It was good to get to see him today and again we want to make sure we can continue to do that.” Last week the US also said that Gershkovich has been “wrongfully detained” and that the spy charges against him are bogus including President Joe Biden who has called his imprisonment “totally illegal”. Spy charges against Gershkovich Notably, the WSJ reporter is the first foreign journalist arrested on spying allegations since the collapse of the Soviet Union while Moscow said that he was caught “red-handed” for allegedly collecting what Moscow has said were state secrets about the military-industrial complex. Gershkovich is currently being held at the Lefortovo prison along with others accused of treason and espionage in Moscow which in Soviet times was run by the KGB but is now operated by the Federal Penitentiary Service. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Evan Gershkovich: US journalist arrested in Russia on charges of espionage denied bail

In yet another incident of gun violence in the state of the United States after a black teenager was shot by a homeowner after we went in a wrong house and rang the doorbell. The homeowner opened the door and shot the boy.

Gun violence in US: At least 160 shooting incidents in 2023 as mass shootings on rise

A United States diplomatic convoy came under fire as the power struggle between the Sudanese army and its paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues in Khartoum; the incident has since&nbsp;been confirmed by Washington’s top diplomat. In a press conference, on Tuesday (April 18), the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the attack&nbsp;“reckless” and “irresponsible”.&nbsp;

What did Blinken say?

Washington’s top diplomat who is currently in the midst of attending the Group of Seven (G7) wealthy nations meeting in Japan also denounced “indiscriminate military operations” as the unrest in the Sudanese capital city of Khartoum, enters its fourth day. “I can confirm that yesterday we had an American diplomatic convoy that was fired on,” said Blinken.

The attack took place on clearly marked embassy vehicles, on Monday, while preliminary reports suggest that the assailants were from the RSF, said the US’ top diplomat.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-180-dead-in-sudan-violence-as-army-chief-declares-a-powerful-paramilitary-force-rebels-583458">Sudan unrest claims 200 lives, EU envoy 'assaulted' in capital Khartoum</a>

He also went on to say that the people in the diplomatic convoy were safe, adding, “We have deep concerns of course about the overall security environment as it affects civilians, as it affects diplomats, as it affects aid workers.”&nbsp;

Washington’s top diplomat warns Sudan

The incident has since prompted a direct warning from Blinken who called RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, and Sudan’s army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Speaking about the call, the US’ top diplomat said, “I made very clear that any attacks threats, dangerous posed to our diplomats were totally unacceptable.”

So far, more than 200 people have been killed and more than 1,800 injured since the fighting erupted, said the United Nations. The attack on the US convoy also comes after a European Union ambassador in Sudan was “assaulted” in his own residence, foreign policy chief Josep Borrell wrote on Twitter.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sudan-death-count-from-the-fighting-exceeds-180-583548">Sudan: Death count from the fighting exceeds 180</a> 
 
He added, “Security of diplomatic premises and staff is a primary responsibility of Sudanese authorities and an obligation under international law.” The EU ambassador, in question, was veteran Irish diplomat Aidan O'Hara. However, an EU spokeswoman Nabila Massrali told AFP that he was "OK" following the assault.

RSF’s response to Blinken’s call

The RSF leader, Dagalo while acknowledging the calls for a “temporary ceasefire” from friendly nations as well as after the conversation with Blinken, took to Twitter and wrote, “The RSF reaffirms its approval of a 24 HR armistice to ensure the safe passage of civilians and the evacuation of the wounded.” &nbsp;

However, in subsequent tweets, he accused the Sudanese Armed Forces of failing to “honor this ceasefire, bombing densely populated areas from the air and endangering civilian lives. These actions are a flagrant violation of the foundations and principles of international and humanitarian law.”&nbsp;

Sudan’s military claims situation is ‘fully under control’

Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the Sudanese military, as per the state-run Sudan TV, claimed that the situation was under control.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/middle-east/saudi-led-coalition-releases-over-100-additional-yemen-war-prisoners-583456">Saudi-led coalition releases over 100 additional Yemen war prisoners</a> 
 
The broadcaster aired a phone call with Brigadier General Nabil Abdullah, where he claimed the situation was “fully under control,” on Tuesday. &nbsp;

He added that the Sudanese Military “don’t want to expand our operations at this step.” Abdullah also reportedly said that the army is “worried about our citizens being hurt or there being civilian victims because of this conflict”.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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A United States diplomatic convoy came under fire as the power struggle between the Sudanese army and its paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues in Khartoum; the incident has since been confirmed by Washington’s top diplomat.

A United States diplomatic convoy came under fire as the power struggle between the Sudanese army and its paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues in Khartoum; the incident has since been confirmed by Washington’s top diplomat. In a press conference, on Tuesday (April 18), the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the attack “reckless” and “irresponsible”. What did Blinken say? Washington’s top diplomat who is currently in the midst of attending the Group of Seven (G7) wealthy nations meeting in Japan also denounced “indiscriminate military operations” as the unrest in the Sudanese capital city of Khartoum, enters its fourth day. “I can confirm that yesterday we had an American diplomatic convoy that was fired on,” said Blinken. The attack took place on clearly marked embassy vehicles, on Monday, while preliminary reports suggest that the assailants were from the RSF, said the US’ top diplomat. ALSO READ | Sudan unrest claims 200 lives, EU envoy 'assaulted' in capital Khartoum He also went on to say that the people in the diplomatic convoy were safe, adding, “We have deep concerns of course about the overall security environment as it affects civilians, as it affects diplomats, as it affects aid workers.” Washington’s top diplomat warns Sudan The incident has since prompted a direct warning from Blinken who called RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, and Sudan’s army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Speaking about the call, the US’ top diplomat said, “I made very clear that any attacks threats, dangerous posed to our diplomats were totally unacceptable.” So far, more than 200 people have been killed and more than 1,800 injured since the fighting erupted, said the United Nations. The attack on the US convoy also comes after a European Union ambassador in Sudan was “assaulted” in his own residence, foreign policy chief Josep Borrell wrote on Twitter. ALSO WATCH | Sudan: Death count from the fighting exceeds 180 He added, “Security of diplomatic premises and staff is a primary responsibility of Sudanese authorities and an obligation under international law.” The EU ambassador, in question, was veteran Irish diplomat Aidan O'Hara. However, an EU spokeswoman Nabila Massrali told AFP that he was "OK" following the assault. RSF’s response to Blinken’s call The RSF leader, Dagalo while acknowledging the calls for a “temporary ceasefire” from friendly nations as well as after the conversation with Blinken, took to Twitter and wrote, “The RSF reaffirms its approval of a 24 HR armistice to ensure the safe passage of civilians and the evacuation of the wounded.” However, in subsequent tweets, he accused the Sudanese Armed Forces of failing to “honor this ceasefire, bombing densely populated areas from the air and endangering civilian lives. These actions are a flagrant violation of the foundations and principles of international and humanitarian law.” Sudan’s military claims situation is ‘fully under control’ Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the Sudanese military, as per the state-run Sudan TV, claimed that the situation was under control. ALSO READ | Saudi-led coalition releases over 100 additional Yemen war prisoners The broadcaster aired a phone call with Brigadier General Nabil Abdullah, where he claimed the situation was “fully under control,” on Tuesday. He added that the Sudanese Military “don’t want to expand our operations at this step.” Abdullah also reportedly said that the army is “worried about our citizens being hurt or there being civilian victims because of this conflict”. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US convoy attacked in Sudan, Blinken calls incident ‘reckless’, issues warning

Ernst & Young's US arm said that it was firing 3,000 job cuts or five per cent of its American workforce. Less than a week ago, the firm called off a split between its auditing and consulting units, but a spokesperson said the cuts are unrelated to the scuttled plan.

Ernst And Young announces 3,000 job cuts in US due to overcapacity

China has over 100 secret police stations in 53 countries | Explained

US law enforcement officials arrest two New York residents for allegedly operating a Chinese "secret police station" in Manhattan's Chinatown. This, as part of a crackdown on Beijing's alleged targeting of US-based dissidents.

FBI arrests two alleged Chinese agents for operating "secret police station"

The U.S. leaked files have now targeted Taiwan and criticised its defence against Chinese attacks. Will Taiwan lash back at the U.S.? Will China see this as U.S. having a soft corner for the nation? Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: US' leaked files judge Taiwan's defence

An 84-year-old white man in Kansas City, Missouri, has been charged with two felony counts for allegedly shooting a Black teen who mistakenly went to the man's home to pick up his younger brothers.

Missouri Shooting: White homeowner accused of shooting Black teen at his front door

Given that the Congress has a deadline to handle the country's debt, the head of the European Central Bank stated that she did not think the United States would default on its debt this time.

ECB Chief: US debt default just not possible

According to the Indian Commerce Ministry, the United States has surpassed China to become India's largest trading partner in 2022–2023. India in 2022 and 2023, U.S. trade increased to 128 points 55 billion dollars, up from 119.5 billion dollars in 2021 and 2022.

US now biggest trade partner of India

For the past quarter century, every spring the United States and China have accused each other of pervasive human rights violations in a tit-for-tat routine that brings in sharp focus an ideological rift so vast it is difficult to see that it can ever&nbsp;bridged.

The clash routinely begins with the publication of an extraordinarily detailed report on the state of human rights in the world compiled by the U.S. State Department. The report runs to more than two million words. It covers 198 countries and territories.

That’s every country in the world, except one – the United States. Without fail, extensive parts of the reports have been sharply critical of China and the Communist Party’s failure to adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in running the world’s most populous country.

The persistent criticism so infuriated Beijing that China began issuing a counter-report, in 1998, on Human Rights violations in the United States.

The latest US&nbsp;report came out on March 20, more than 28,000 words of it about China, complete with charges about genocide and crimes against humanity against the predominantly Muslim Uyghur community and other ethnic and religious groups in the north-western Xinjiang province.

A week later, China responded with 11,130 words of condemnation which described the year 2022 as a landmark setback for U.S. human rights and portrayed the country as plagued by “chronic diseases” including racial discrimination, police brutality, politics controlled by money, extreme wealth disparity, rampant drug abuse, declining average life expectancy and relentless gun violence.

The day the Russian report was published, America’s Gun Violence Archive, a widely respected research database, recorded the 146th mass shooting since the beginning of the year. Since then, there have been mass shootings at a bank, a school, and the 16th birthday party of a girl in Alabama.

Details of the Chinese critique of America were drawn from U.S. think tanks, media, academic research institutes, and government statistics.

Reading the reports side by side, it is obvious that the Chinese leadership views America’s (and the West’s) definition of human rights as unsuitable for their country and a threat to the rule of the Communist Party.

Shortly after Xi Jinping assumed his first term as president in 2013, the rejection of the idea that all people around the world are entitled to certain rights – universal values — became official policy in a Communist Party “Communique on the Current State of the Ideological Sphere.”

Dubbed Document 9 by Sinologists, it said there were “essential differences between the West’s value system and the value system we advocate.” That system, according to Document 9, is based on obedience to the party and requires opposition to “false ideological trends” such as constitutional government with the separation of powers and an independent judiciary.

For Chinese officials, the most important human right is economic well-being. In pursuit of that goal, the leadership has excelled. Over the past three decades, the system has lifted 800 million people out of poverty, according to World Bank figures.

The Chinese report on the U.S. notes, in contrast, high national poverty rates and “disproportionally high” child poverty rates. Quoting statistics from Columbia University, the report says child poverty had risen from 12.1 per cent in December 2021 to 16.6 per cent in May 2022, which translates to an additional 3.3 million children in poverty.

Coinciding with the American report on brutal repression, genocide and a long list of trampling individual freedoms, the Chinese state news agency Xinhua accused the West of ignoring that “one of the greatest human rights successes a country could hope for is the elimination of poverty.”

That message is falling on receptive ears in large parts of the world where China has steadily expanded its influence through credits and infrastructure projects. One of the most memorable remarks from last month’s U.S.-sponsored Summit of Democracy came from an African leader, Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia..

“You can’t eat democracy. Human rights may sustain the spirit but not the body,” he said in a speech to the participants of the mostly virtual event.

Neither the US&nbsp;report, the only global assessment of human rights by a government (as opposed to private advocacy groups), nor the Chinese counter-report broke new ground and instead re-emphasised mutual recriminations.

But the American report added to a very long list of activities that could land a Chinese citizen in jail an unfamiliar offence: “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” One offender, named Xu Guang, was arrested for holding up a sign in front of a police station demanding the return of his confiscated smartphone.

A Beijing-based lawyer, Li Yuhan, has been held in a detention centre since 2017 also for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”, according to the report.

Its preface noted that State Department officials and diplomats around the world spent “thousands of hours” compiling accurate accounts of the state of human rights.

Given the effort that goes into the reports, one might assume that its findings play a major role in shaping US&nbsp;foreign policy. But that is not the case. Where US&nbsp;national interests are at stake, human rights violations are not necessarily obstacles to normal relations.

US&nbsp;President Joe Biden provided a memorable demonstration that national interests trump human rights last summer when he visited Saudi Arabia, a country he had described as a “pariah” when he was running for president because of Saudi abuses including the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Kashoggi.

Candidate Biden pledged that Saudi Arabia’s de-facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, would “pay the price” for the Kashoggi murder, U.S. intelligence says he ordered. But President Biden, concerned about sky-high gasoline prices in the U.S., visited Saudi Arabia in hopes that the Saudis would increase oil production and thus help lower gasoline prices.

Biden’s about-face provided yet more evidence that the universal values Washington officially espouses are not universally applied. Cozying up to dictators when that is in the American interest has a long history and predates the first U.S. global human rights report which was published in 1976.

In 1938, when aides complained to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt about the repressive and corrupt rule of Nicaraguan President Anastasio Somoza, a close US&nbsp;ally, history books give his response as “he may be a son of a bitch, but he’s OUR son of a bitch.”

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)&nbsp;

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For the past quarter century, every spring the United States and China have accused each other of pervasive human rights violations in a tit-for-tat routine that brings in sharp focus an ideological rift so vast it is difficult to see that it can ever bridged.

For the past quarter century, every spring the United States and China have accused each other of pervasive human rights violations in a tit-for-tat routine that brings in sharp focus an ideological rift so vast it is difficult to see that it can ever bridged. The clash routinely begins with the publication of an extraordinarily detailed report on the state of human rights in the world compiled by the U.S. State Department. The report runs to more than two million words. It covers 198 countries and territories. That’s every country in the world, except one – the United States. Without fail, extensive parts of the reports have been sharply critical of China and the Communist Party’s failure to adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in running the world’s most populous country. The persistent criticism so infuriated Beijing that China began issuing a counter-report, in 1998, on Human Rights violations in the United States. The latest US report came out on March 20, more than 28,000 words of it about China, complete with charges about genocide and crimes against humanity against the predominantly Muslim Uyghur community and other ethnic and religious groups in the north-western Xinjiang province. A week later, China responded with 11,130 words of condemnation which described the year 2022 as a landmark setback for U.S. human rights and portrayed the country as plagued by “chronic diseases” including racial discrimination, police brutality, politics controlled by money, extreme wealth disparity, rampant drug abuse, declining average life expectancy and relentless gun violence. The day the Russian report was published, America’s Gun Violence Archive, a widely respected research database, recorded the 146th mass shooting since the beginning of the year. Since then, there have been mass shootings at a bank, a school, and the 16th birthday party of a girl in Alabama. Details of the Chinese critique of America were drawn from U.S. think tanks, media, academic research institutes, and government statistics. Reading the reports side by side, it is obvious that the Chinese leadership views America’s (and the West’s) definition of human rights as unsuitable for their country and a threat to the rule of the Communist Party. Shortly after Xi Jinping assumed his first term as president in 2013, the rejection of the idea that all people around the world are entitled to certain rights – universal values — became official policy in a Communist Party “Communique on the Current State of the Ideological Sphere.” Dubbed Document 9 by Sinologists, it said there were “essential differences between the West’s value system and the value system we advocate.” That system, according to Document 9, is based on obedience to the party and requires opposition to “false ideological trends” such as constitutional government with the separation of powers and an independent judiciary. For Chinese officials, the most important human right is economic well-being. In pursuit of that goal, the leadership has excelled. Over the past three decades, the system has lifted 800 million people out of poverty, according to World Bank figures. The Chinese report on the U.S. notes, in contrast, high national poverty rates and “disproportionally high” child poverty rates. Quoting statistics from Columbia University, the report says child poverty had risen from 12.1 per cent in December 2021 to 16.6 per cent in May 2022, which translates to an additional 3.3 million children in poverty. Coinciding with the American report on brutal repression, genocide and a long list of trampling individual freedoms, the Chinese state news agency Xinhua accused the West of ignoring that “one of the greatest human rights successes a country could hope for is the elimination of poverty.” That message is falling on receptive ears in large parts of the world where China has steadily expanded its influence through credits and infrastructure projects. One of the most memorable remarks from last month’s U.S.-sponsored Summit of Democracy came from an African leader, Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia.. “You can’t eat democracy. Human rights may sustain the spirit but not the body,” he said in a speech to the participants of the mostly virtual event. Neither the US report, the only global assessment of human rights by a government (as opposed to private advocacy groups), nor the Chinese counter-report broke new ground and instead re-emphasised mutual recriminations. But the American report added to a very long list of activities that could land a Chinese citizen in jail an unfamiliar offence: “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” One offender, named Xu Guang, was arrested for holding up a sign in front of a police station demanding the return of his confiscated smartphone. A Beijing-based lawyer, Li Yuhan, has been held in a detention centre since 2017 also for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”, according to the report. Its preface noted that State Department officials and diplomats around the world spent “thousands of hours” compiling accurate accounts of the state of human rights. Given the effort that goes into the reports, one might assume that its findings play a major role in shaping US foreign policy. But that is not the case. Where US national interests are at stake, human rights violations are not necessarily obstacles to normal relations. US President Joe Biden provided a memorable demonstration that national interests trump human rights last summer when he visited Saudi Arabia, a country he had described as a “pariah” when he was running for president because of Saudi abuses including the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Kashoggi. Candidate Biden pledged that Saudi Arabia’s de-facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, would “pay the price” for the Kashoggi murder, U.S. intelligence says he ordered. But President Biden, concerned about sky-high gasoline prices in the U.S., visited Saudi Arabia in hopes that the Saudis would increase oil production and thus help lower gasoline prices. Biden’s about-face provided yet more evidence that the universal values Washington officially espouses are not universally applied. Cozying up to dictators when that is in the American interest has a long history and predates the first U.S. global human rights report which was published in 1976. In 1938, when aides complained to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt about the repressive and corrupt rule of Nicaraguan President Anastasio Somoza, a close US ally, history books give his response as “he may be a son of a bitch, but he’s OUR son of a bitch.” (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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