Japan PM prepares push for nuclear weapons pledge in Hiroshima | First Thing

Ukraine war and China's Taiwan ambitions are expected to dominate G7 discussions, but Fumio Kishida will have a powerful backdrop. Plus, the rise and fall of Rudy Giuliani

Good morning.

The war in Ukraine and Chinese aggression towards Taiwan will dominate G7 discussions this week, but the host, Fumio Kishida, the Japanese prime minister, is expected to carve out time to push for a pledge on nuclear weapons when leaders meet in Hiroshima, the first place on Earth targeted by an atomic bomb.

What has Kishida said in the run-up to the summit? He spoke of his desire for a world without nuclear weapons", although campaigners point to the failure by Japan - part of the US nuclear umbrella - to sign a 2021 UN treaty banning the possession and use of nuclear weapons. I believe the first step toward any nuclear disarmament effort is to provide a first-hand experience of the consequences of the atomic bombing and to firmly convey the reality," Kishida said of the planned group visit to the peace museum.

What has Biden said in response to the criticism? The president said: I'll be in constant contact with my team while I'm at the G7 and be in close touch with speaker McCarthy and other leaders as well. What I have done in anticipation that we won't get it all done till I get back is, I've cut my trip short in order to be [here] for the final negotiations and sign the deal with the majority leader."

What has McCarthy said? Speaking to CNBC, he said: I think at the end of the day we do not have a debt default. The thing I'm confident about is now we have a structure to find a way to come to a conclusion. The timeline is very tight. But we're going to make sure we're in the room and get this done."