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The conflict over a mining contract on the Solomon Islands has not abated. In a third day of unrest, the public were urged to stay off the streets on Monday. The protests were believed to be linked to allegations that small parts of the project were sub-contracted to Chinese nationals.
Australia and New Zealand have pledged additional aid to the Solomons government, after an insurance payout of $4.5 million forced the country to suspend the deal. The funds will go towards schools and other public services. Australia is providing two patrol boats for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, along with patrol aircraft. The Commonwealth Secretariat has also offered to assist with an “urgent humanitarian-assistance mission.” The response comes after days of protests that have caused widespread damage.
UNITED STATES
Trump is scheduled to meet with leaders of some five dozen nations from Washington, D.C., at the Global Health Security Agenda Forum on Thursday.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull are also expected to meet with Trump in Washington. During their time at the forum, Trump may have a chance to outline his vision for America’s relationship with France and Australia, both longtime U.S. allies. Trump’s tough talk on global trade and national security may continue to weigh on an already tense relationship. His meetings could be setting a tone for the upcoming G-7 meeting in Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada, at the end of June.
MALAYSIA
Malaysia’s government has said that fresh opposition allegations that it favors Chinese investors was to blame for an inflow of refugees from Myanmar, according to The New York Times. The refugee crisis is becoming a popular rallying cry in Malaysia’s elections.
A petition circulating in Thailand calls for the government to create a committee to assess claims of sexual abuse and exploitation of Muslims and children by Buddhists, Hindus, and Christians who have moved to Chiang Mai province. More than 1.8 million people have signed the petition, many of them from Hong Kong.
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Note: Article based on content from the New York Times, CNN, ABC News, BBC, World News Tonight, Global Center for Health Security, The Associated Press, and Reuters.