More than 200 children, some as young as one, raped in Sudan, UNICEF says
Taiwan says it’s ‘impossible’ for US to retreat from Asia Pacific
Tuesday briefing: Where Gaza’s fragile ceasefire stands – and what it will take to move it forward
In today’s newsletter: With talks stalled, aid blocked and a truce in question, can the path to peace get back on track?
Good morning. The first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza expired over the weekend – and now, the only thing stopping the resumption of Israel’s assault on the territory is the will of Benjamin Netanyahu. That is the bleak reality for the hostages still alive in Gaza, and the Palestinian civilians there who were subjected to a new aid embargo on Sunday. Last night, the Israeli government was reported to be planning to ratchet the blockade up further – with a programme of measures referred to as the “hell plan”.
When the ceasefire was agreed in January, the theory was that the first phase would provide space for negotiations over a more durable truce. But those talks simply have not happened. Israel is pushing for the release of more hostages in an extension to the first phase – a step that Hamas, fearing the loss of its only source of leverage, refuses to countenance. Both sides are now making preparations for the resumption of violence.
Ukraine | Donald Trump has suspended delivery of all US military aid to Ukraine, blocking billions in crucial shipments as the White House piles pressure on Ukraine to sue for peace with Vladimir Putin. The Trump administration was earlier reported to be drawing up a plan to restore ties with Russia and lift sanctions on the Kremlin.
Education | Labour is preparing major changes to special educational needs provision in English schools, as individual councils raise the alarm over debts running into hundreds of millions of pounds. With councils currently paying to send many children to private schools because of a lack of adequate local options, the government is believed to be considering measures that would prioritise state provision.
Tariffs | China and Canada unveiled retaliatory measures against the US after Donald Trump imposed his sweeping tariffs plan on Tuesday, despite warnings it could spark an escalating trade war. The new US tariffs stand at 25% against goods from Canada and Mexico and 20% against those from China.
Obesity | More than half of adults and a third of children and young people worldwide will be overweight or obese by 2050, posing an “unparalleled threat” of early death and enormous strain on healthcare systems, a report warns. There are now 2.11 billion adults aged 25 or above who are overweight or obese, against 731 million in 1990.
Art | The self-taught Scottish painter Jack Vettriano, who became hugely popular despite being shunned by critics, has been found dead at his apartment in Nice in the south of France, his publicist has said. He was 73.
Continue reading...A simple illustrated guide to Ramadan, answers to 10 common questions
Gaza observes somber start to Ramadan, in photos – The Washington Post
- Gaza observes somber start to Ramadan, in photos The Washington Post
- See nearly 5000 Gazans gather for Iftar amid the rubble CNN
- AP PHOTOS: Muslims in the Middle East observe Ramadan amid political upheavals and postwar turmoil The Associated Press
- In Gaza, Ramadan’s start overshadowed by war fears as ceasefire’s first phase expires The Times of Israel
- Ramadan in Gaza: Ruins and unshakable faith Al Jazeera English
Gazans face tough choices as their future is debated on the global stage
Leader of UK’s black police officers under investigation over tweet
Exclusive: Andy George says misconduct inquiry over tweet about Chris Kaba case officer ‘stifles free speech’
The leader of Britain’s black and Asian police officers has been placed under investigation over a tweet.
Ch Insp Andy George, the president of the National Black Police Association, said the decision to place him under a misconduct investigation “sends a chilling message” and “stifles free speech”.
Continue reading...‘Gotham but no Batman’: Crime grips Bangladesh 6 months after Hasina fled
Russia sending ‘suicidal missions’ to win foothold over Dnipro River, says Ukraine
Moscow trying to improve its claim to entire Kherson region in time for peace negotiations, says governor
Russian forces are repeatedly trying to seize a foothold across Ukraine’s Dnipro River, dispatching troops on high-casualty missions to gain territory for future peace negotiations, according to the Ukrainian governor of Kherson region.
Oleksandr Prokudin said Russian forces were trying to cross in four locations to justify their claim to the whole oblast, one of four Ukrainian regions that Moscow says it wants to incorporate.
Continue reading...Is It Time to Transfer Frozen Russian Assets to Ukraine? Calls Grow Louder. – The New York Times
- Is It Time to Transfer Frozen Russian Assets to Ukraine? Calls Grow Louder. The New York Times
- UK-France tensions over plan to seize $350bn Russia assets for US arms The Guardian
- Europeans move towards seizing €200bn of Russian assets Financial Times
- As Europe mobilizes behind Ukraine, it's sitting on a $218 billion ace card — and it's being urged to play it Yahoo
- Europe Edges Closer to Seizing Russia's Billions Newsweek
JD Vance says US economic interests in Ukraine the best way to guarantee its security
Vice-president says best way to prevent another Russian invasion is to ‘give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine’
US vice-president JD Vance said that the best way to protect Ukraine from another Russian invasion is to guarantee the US has a financial interest in Ukraine’s future.
“If you want real security guarantees, if you want to actually ensure that Vladimir Putin does not invade Ukraine again, the very best security guarantee is to give Americans economic upside in the future of Ukraine,” Vance said in the interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity which aired Monday night.
Continue reading...Japan Struggles to Contain Biggest Wildfire in Half a Century – Bloomberg
- Japan Struggles to Contain Biggest Wildfire in Half a Century Bloomberg
- Firefighters struggle to contain seven-day wildfire in north-east Japan – video The Guardian
- Japan fights a forest fire that has damaged dozens of homes and caused hundreds to evacuate NBC News
- Japan battles biggest wildfire in decades The Japan Times
- Video shows Japan battling the worst wildfire in decades CNN
MN-based organizations reeling from USAID dismantling – KARE11.com
- MN-based organizations reeling from USAID dismantling KARE11.com
- U.S.A.I.D. Memos Detail Human Costs of Cuts to Foreign Aid The New York Times
- Internal Memos: Senior USAID Leaders Warned Trump Appointees of Hundreds of Thousands of Deaths From Closing Agency ProPublica
- Why some in the Global South are not mourning the demise of USAID Al Jazeera English
- Answering the Call: The Foreign Assistance Review Center for Strategic & International Studies
US suspends all military aid to Ukraine in wake of Trump-Zelenskyy row
Decision affects ammunition, vehicles and other equipment including weapons in transit
The Trump administration has suspended delivery of all US military aid to Ukraine, blocking billions in crucial shipments as the White House piles pressure on Ukraine to sue for peace with Vladimir Putin.
The decision affects deliveries of ammunition, vehicles, and other equipment including shipments agreed to when Joe Biden was president.
Continue reading...US health department offers early retirement in latest round of Musk-led cuts
Email says employees eligible to take voluntary retirement and directs workers to share accomplishments of past week
The US health department told employees on Monday they could apply for early retirement over the next 10 days and should respond to a request for information on their accomplishments of the past week, according to emails seen by Reuters.
Republican president Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who oversees the so-called “department of government efficiency”, are spearheading an unprecedented effort to shrink the federal bureaucracy, including through job cuts.
Continue reading...The revellers making Trinidad’s carnival more sustainable
Dolly Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, dies aged 82
Dolly Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, dies aged 82
Can Myanmar’s scam centers be shut down for good? – DW (English)
- Can Myanmar's scam centers be shut down for good? DW (English)
- 84 Indonesians freed from scam centers in Myanmar arrive home The Associated Press
- On a Lawless Tropical Border, the Global Scam Industry Thrives The New York Times
- Video | Life inside Myanmar’s notorious scam centres South China Morning Post
- 'I need help': Freed from Myanmar's scam centres, thousands are now stranded BBC.com