Largest China developer Country Garden downgraded to junk. Ratings firm cited declining sales and weaker funding access.

Found this Global 500 rating from 10 months ago entertaining. Doesn’t say much for the global economy.

www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/country-garden-rises-to-139th-on-2021-fortune-global-500-list-301347299.html

FOSHAN, China, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The latest FORTUNE Global 500 list was released on August 2nd, with the number of Chinese companies in the list increased to 143, demonstrating the strong vitality of China’s economy. Among them, China’s

leading real estate developer Country Garden Holdings (“Country Garden”) (02007.HK) continued to witness a rise in its ranking, to 139th place.

https://www.investmentwatchblog.com/largest-china-developer-country-garden-downgraded-to-junk-ratings-firm-cited-declining-sales-and-weaker-funding-access/

US CENTCOM delegation visits Israel, talks preparations for 'regional escalation'

A large delegation from the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) met with senior Israeli army officials in Israel over three days this week, discussing ways to strengthen cooperation.

The two parties discussed "shared regional security challenges and joint preparations for scenarios of regional escalation," the Israeli army's spokesperson unit said in a statement.

The Israeli army described the meeting as "yet another step in deepening and strengthening the military cooperation" between itself and the US armed forces.

Israel and the US conducted a joint military exercise in northern Israel this past week "to assess the readiness of both countries to cope with security challenges," Haaretz reported.

The CENTCOM delegation was made up of 35 members according to the Israeli newspaper.

CENTCOM, whose area of responsibility includes the Middle East and parts of Central and South Asia, assumed command responsibility for Israel last September.

Israel previously fell under the US military's European command, or EUCOM.

The command's visit comes as Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz said earlier this week that Israel is building a US-sponsored air defence alliance with Arab states which he claimed already thwarted attempted Iranian attacks.

Gantz did not say which Arab countries were part of the alliance.

He said he expected US President Joe Biden's July visit to Israel to further strengthen the regional air defence alliance.

The US military delegation which visited Israel this week included Brad Cooper, the commander of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet that is headquartered in Bahrain.

Israel said in March that it would "soon" appoint an attache to the fleet.

CENTCOM commander Erik Kurilla travelled to Israel last month and met with the Israeli army's chief of staff Aviv Kochavi.

Kurilla spoke with several Israeli military leaders, toured facilities, and observed an ongoing Israeli military exercise, CENTCOM said after the visit.

Though Israel-US military ties are strong, CENTCOM reprimanded Israel as well as Iran earlier this year for putting US personnel at risk as they conduct missile strikes on each other in Iraq and Syria.

https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/us-centcom-military-delegation-visits-israel

Alaska governor wants constitutional amendment on abortion

Alaska voters will decide in November if they want to approve a constitutional convention.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy is planning to ask the state legislature to consider a constitutional amendment on abortion.

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade on Friday by a vote of 6-3. Alaska does not have a trigger law that makes abortion illegal.

“I like many Alaskans, am pro life,” Dunleavy said in a news release. “I also recognize that many Alaskans are pro choice. I will therefore be introducing a resolution for a proposed constitutional amendment to the Legislature in the next session to answer the question whether abortion shall, or not be a constitutionally protected right.”

Alaska voters will decide in November if they want to approve a constitutional convention. Alaska Democrats said in light of Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, the measure must be defeated.

“While, for now, a woman’s right to choose remains protected in the state of Alaska, extremist Christian fundamentalists and radical MAGA Republicans seek an unnecessary, expensive and dangerous constitutional convention that would open up the entire state constitution for revisions on issues ranging from abortion, to guns, climate change, environmental regulations, gay marriage, and the PFD,” the organization said in a post on its website. “The constitutional convention question must be defeated by voters at the ballot box this November.”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said while her home state has “protected abortion rights” through the state’s constitution, other states have not.

“In the wake of this ruling, it is up to Congress to respond,” Murkowski said in a news release. “I introduced legislation in February to protect women’s reproductive rights as provided in Roe, and I am continuing to work with a broader group to restore women’s freedom to control their own health decisions wherever they live.”

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, said the ruling takes the issue out of federal courts and gives it back to the states.

“As a pro-life Catholic, I believe there is no greater gift than that of life. Going forward, I will continue to support legislation protecting the most vulnerable in society, including by expanding quality child care and opportunities for adoption,” Sullivan said.

https://justthenews.com/nation/states/center-square/dunleavy-wants-constitutional-amendment-abortion