Trump's trade war with China escalates, NATO defense spending disputes emerge, and Middle East conflicts persist despite Gaza ceasefire.

Good Morning,

In a week marked by significant geopolitical developments, tensions continue to rise as President Trump's trade war with China impacts global markets, while his administration faces a prolonged government shutdown. Trump has also threatened tariffs on Spain due to its reluctance to increase NATO defense spending. Meanwhile, in the Middle East, despite a ceasefire in Gaza, South Africa insists on pursuing an ICJ genocide case, and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has opted out of attending a peace summit in Egypt, which will be co-hosted by Trump and Egypt's President. Additionally, concerns over North Korea's missile capabilities have been heightened by South Korea's military chief, who suggests Russian technology may have been involved.

Top Stories

● Trump’s Trade War With China Catches the World in Its Crossfire (The New York Times)

● Government shutdown hits 2-week mark as Trump meets with Argentina’s president (CNN)

● Trump threatens tariffs on Spain over refusal to boost NATO defense spending (Reuters)

● South Africa says ICJ genocide case will continue despite Gaza ceasefire (Al Jazeera)

● Israel's Netanyahu won't attend Egypt summit on ending Gaza war (Reuters)

United States

● Exclusive: US revokes visas of over 50 Mexican politicians in new drug war front (Reuters)

● ‘Not going to waste our time’: Trump hinges US aid to Argentina on election (Al Jazeera)

● Widespread Acclaim for President Trump’s Diplomatic Triumph - The White House (.gov) (The White House ())

● Top US news outlets push back against Pentagon's reporting restrictions (BBC)

● US strikes another vessel off Venezuela coast, killing six (BBC)

● Trump says six were killed in US strike on another boat allegedly carrying drugs near Venezuela (The Guardian)

Africa

● Why was FIFA President Infantino with Trump at Gaza peace summit in Egypt? (Al Jazeera)

● Trump and Egypt’s President Set to Host Sharm el-Sheikh ‘Peace Summit’ (The New York Times)

● Kenyan officer killed in bow-and-arrow attack at gate of president's residence (BBC)

● UK picks Nigerian story ‘My Father’s Shadow’ for Oscars entry (Punch Newspapers)

● Can’t spell victory without Victor, CAF hails Osimhen’s hat-trick for Nigeria (Punch Newspapers)

● BREAKING: Osimhen shines in 4-0 rout of Benin to raise W’Cup hope (Punch Newspapers)

● Nigeria vs Benin, South Africa vs Rwanda: How Benin, South Africa or Nigeria fit qualify for 2026 World Cup (BBC)

● Osimhen hat-trick sends Nigeria to playoffs as South Africa reach World Cup (Al Jazeera)

Middle East

● Iran: French paid sentenced to prison time on spying charges (BBC)

● Trump Calls for Israel’s President to Pardon Netanyahu. Could It Happen? (The New York Times)

● Gaza ceasefire tested as Israeli forces kill five Palestinians (Al Jazeera)

● “It’s like a nightmare”: War and sanctions push Iranian workers to the brink (The New Humanitarian)

● LIVE: Israel shoots dead at least 9 Palestinians in Gaza despite ceasefire (Al Jazeera)

● Saudi Arabia earn draw with Iraq to secure World Cup berth (Reuters)

● Fact-checking President Donald Trump’s claims about peace, war and Iran after his Israel address (Poynter)

● How Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan Presents Hurdles for Israel and Hamas (The New York Times)

Indo-Pacific

● US, China roll out port fees, threatening more trade turmoil (Al Jazeera)

● Japan’s imported baby boom spotlights a political and demographic timebomb (The Guardian)

● Ley calls for parliament to investigate Thorpe over ‘incendiary behaviour’ at protest – as it happened (The Guardian)

● South Korea's military chief says Russian tech possibly went into North Korea's new missile (Reuters)

● Afghan foreign minister in India: Why New Delhi is embracing Taliban now (Al Jazeera)

● Number of scenarios now on the table for who might be Japan’s next prime minister (The Japan Times)

● Indonesia’s president heard on hot mic asking Trump if he can meet son Eric (The Guardian)

● News live: far-right US commentator Candace Owens loses Australian entry visa appeal; Allan says Ley ‘only focused’ on division after crime comments (The Guardian)

● Instagram restricts what teenagers can see weeks before Australia’s under-16s social media ban begins (The Guardian)

● Donald Trump Warns Of Ending Business With China, Threatens Cooking Oil Trade - NDTV (Ndtv)

● The ‘street fighter’ civil servant Labour blames for China spy case fiasco (The Telegraph)

Europe

● France’s political upheaval isn’t temporary - it’s a profound constitutional crisis (The Guardian)

● Human rights official urges UK to review laws after Palestine Action placard arrests (The Guardian)

● Border failings in Europe are eroding trust in nation states, warns Mahmood (The Guardian)

● Human rights groups call for France to suspend ‘one in, one out’ treaty with UK (The Guardian)

● Iran: French paid sentenced to prison time on spying charges (BBC)

● UK finance minister seeks to promote Britain as safe bet in uncertain world (Reuters)

● Top Hungarian EU official ‘not aware’ of alleged spying attempt in Brussels (The Guardian)

● Tens of thousands rally in Brussels to protest austerity plans (Al Jazeera)

● French PM backs freezing Macron's pension reform to save government (BBC)

● Pope urges Italy to remain open to migrants during rite of passage visit to presidential palace - AP News (Ap News)

● UK forecast to be second-fastest growing economy in G7 - IMF (BBC)

Latin America

• Trump threatens to pull support for Argentina if its politics move leftward (AP)

• US kills 6 people in strike on boat accused of carrying drugs near Venezuela, Trump says (AP)

• Landslides and flooding cut off 300 communities in Mexico with dozens dead and missing (AP)

• Peru's Jeri swears in top cabinet members (Reuters)

• Doctors without Borders shutters Haiti emergency clinic in 'last resort' (Reuters)

• UN warns of more Haitian children in crossfire as gang recruitment grows (Reuters)

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