The UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Edouard Beigbeder, has warned that a blockade on Gaza will exacerbate malnutrition and disease among children, increasing the risk of preventable deaths. The situation is dire, with limited baby formula available for just 400 infants and nearly 10,000 under six months not exclusively breastfed. Thousands of pallets of lifesaving aid are waiting to enter the Gaza Strip, but it remains stored due to the blockade, highlighting the urgent need for access to be granted to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
https://www.euronews.com/2025/04/17/daily-life-in-gaza-worsens-as-palestinians-go-over-a-month-without-humanitarian-aidThe US and China are engaged in a trade war, with the White House imposing tariffs of up to 125% on Chinese goods. In response, China has raised its own levies on US goods and filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization, accusing the US of violating global trade rules. The US has proposed making a trade deal with China, but Beijing is non-committal, saying it will only engage in talks based on mutual respect and equality. China has appointed new trade negotiator Li Chenggang to handle any potential talks, replacing Wang Shouwen.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40358103/china-says-it-will-ignore-us-tariff-numbers-gameThe US is enlisting allies like South Korea and Japan to help restore America's maritime dominance through an executive order, "Restoring America's Maritime Dominance." The order encourages shipbuilders from allied nations to invest in U.S. shipbuilding capabilities, but does not authorize the construction of U.S. fleets in allied shipyards. This move aims to counter China's shipbuilding supremacy and bolster US efforts to facilitate its maritime industry.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-04-17/business/industry/Trumps-pushing-for-naval-supremacy-over-China-Heres-what-his-maritime-order-misses/2285829North Korea has called a recent US military exercise "reckless bluff" and "routine practice", viewing it as a threat to its national security, following similar joint exercises in the past that have been followed by North Korean missile tests. The US and South Korea are conducting a two-week joint air exercise, "Flag of Freedom", which includes stealth fighters, amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/964876-north-korea-condemns-deployment-of-us-b-1b-bombers-in-south-koreaThe US Agency for International Development (USAID) has been operating in the Middle East since 1961, providing humanitarian, peace, governance, and economic assistance to address regional challenges such as conflicts, droughts, and high unemployment. However, a recent pullback of foreign aid is already affecting women at a free clinic in Amman, highlighting the potential consequences of reduced support for vulnerable populations.
https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-foreign-aid-cuts-middle-east-tariffs-jordan/The World Health Organization (WHO) has reached a landmark agreement with member-states to prevent future pandemics from repeating the mistakes made during the Covid-19 crisis, marking a significant milestone in global health cooperation. The agreement aims to improve preparedness and response efforts, ensuring that countries are better equipped to handle emerging health threats.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/04/18/opinion/editorial/preparing-for-the-next-pandemic/2094296The draft pandemic treaty includes provisions to ensure equitable access to virus samples, tests, medicines, and vaccines. Countries that share critical samples will be guaranteed access to resulting products, with the World Health Organization holding up to 20% for poorer countries. However, critics note that there are limited consequences for non-compliance, as countries can use diplomatic channels or arbitration if disputes arise. The treaty builds on existing International Health Regulations, which have been flouted by some countries in the past, including China during COVID-19 and the US amid its bird flu epidemic.
https://www.ocregister.com/2025/04/16/who-pandemic-treaty/Singapore's Foreign Minister Wong has proposed three key thrusts for the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean): eliminating tariffs across the region to reduce non-tariff barriers, upgrading free trade agreements with countries like China, India, and South Korea, and strengthening global partnerships through collaborations with the CPTPP and EU.
https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2025/04/17/singapore-ready-for-polls-as-pm-wong-outlines-vision-for-regional-global-cooperation-amid-global-tensionsSingapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has called for faster economic integration within ASEAN, urging the bloc to eliminate tariffs, boost intra-ASEAN trade, and reduce non-tariff barriers. He emphasized the need for a more unified region to navigate geopolitical tensions and maintain relevance in a fragmented world. Wong also stressed the importance of accelerating the development of the Asean Power Grid to support green energy transition, attracting new investments, creating jobs, and enhancing collective energy security.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/singapore/2025/04/17/asean-must-fast-track-tariff-free-trade-says-singapore-pm-wong/173409