Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva plans to attend Russia's Victory Day celebrations on May 9 and participate in the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Forum on May 12, marking his first official trip to Moscow and second to China during his third term as president. The visit comes amid a global trade war sparked by US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs. Lula has expressed concerns over the impact of Trump's tariffs on free trade and multilateralism, while Brazil's economy is heavily reliant on trade with China, which accounted for 28% of its exports in 2024.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/brazils-lula-to-meet-putin-and-xi-amid-global-trade-war-fears/article69398123.eceA mass grave was discovered in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, where the bodies of Palestinian medics who were killed while on a rescue mission were found. The incident is the deadliest attack on Red Cross or Red Crescent workers since 2017. Jonathan Whittall, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, described the site as a "mass grave" marked with emergency lights from a crushed ambulance. At least 1060 healthcare workers have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its offensive in October 2023.
https://channelnewsasia.com/world/bodies-palestinian-medics-recovered-grave-gaza-un-officials-say-5035971Myanmar's death toll from the earthquake has reached 2,065 with over 3,900 injured, according to state media, while the opposition claims it is at 2,418. The military government has declared a week-long mourning period and warned that the number of fatalities could rise. Relief efforts are underway, with China, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Russia sending aid and personnel to the country. The United Nations is rushing relief supplies to survivors in central Myanmar, while the US has pledged $2 million in aid through humanitarian organizations. The earthquake has exacerbated existing chaos in Myanmar, which is already reeling from a civil war that intensified after the military ousted Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Critical infrastructure across the country is damaged, slowing humanitarian efforts and leaving many without access to basic necessities like food and healthcare.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2025/04/01/signs-of-life-detected-in-quake-struck-bangkok-skyscraper-death-toll-tops-2000The US military's planned strike on Houthi targets was leaked to journalist Jeffrey Goldberg after National Security Adviser Mike Waltz added him to a Signal group chat with other cabinet and administration officials, including The Atlantic editor-in-chief, in the days leading up to the operation.
https://nypost.com/2025/03/31/us-news/trump-vows-strikes-on-houthis-are-just-getting-started-the-real-pain-is-yet-to-come/Dr. Joanne Liu, a pediatric emergency medicine physician and former international president of Médecins Sans Frontières, had her lecture at New York University (NYU) cancelled due to concerns it may be perceived as anti-governmental or antisemitic. The lecture was scheduled to discuss humanitarian aid in crises, including challenges faced by aid workers in Gaza and the impact of recent cuts to USAID under President Trump's administration.
https://globalnews.ca/news/11106275/canadian-doctor-nyu-cancelled-talk-anti-government-antisemitic/Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi is in England for a meeting of over 40 countries and organizations, including the US, France, and Vietnam, to combat illegal migration and people-smuggling. He met with Yvette Cooper to discuss bilateral cooperation on strengthening border management and immigration control. The event also focuses on enhancing relations between Pakistan and other participating nations. Qureshi emphasized the need for strict measures to secure borders and prevent illegal immigration, as highlighted by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/597951-pakistan-seeks-enhanced-cooperation-on-border-management-ministerRussia has downplayed US President Donald Trump's comments about his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that peace efforts between the two nations are ongoing. The remarks came after Trump expressed his anger towards Putin during a meeting in Bangkok, Myanmar. Russia's foreign ministry stated that it is committed to maintaining good relations with the US and that there have been no significant changes in their relationship.
https://www.livemint.com/news/world/russia-downplays-donald-trump-s-pissed-off-rage-at-putin-insists-peace-efforts-are-ongoing-11743442506401.htmlBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed "productive negotiations" with former US President Donald Trump about a UK-US trade deal. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that the EU would respond firmly to any new tariffs, but remains open to compromise. Law firm Wiley Rein's Greta Peisch believes it is possible for fresh tariffs to be reduced or put on hold swiftly.
https://channelnewsasia.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-says-kind-tariffs-deadline-5036226Taiwan's President Lai has implemented aggressive policies aimed at promoting Taiwanese independence, including environmental initiatives dubbed "green terror" and a revised two-state concept that emphasizes Taiwan's sovereignty. These actions have heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait with China, fueling concerns about regional stability under Lai's leadership.
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