Hamas releases three Israeli captives as fragile ceasefire holds

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Chinese officials that continued purchases of sanctioned Russian oil could lead to significant tariffs due to new Congressional legislation, but China insisted on protecting its energy sovereignty. He also expressed U.S. concerns about China's Iranian oil purchases and dual-use technology sales to Russia, noting these actions could hurt China's trade relations with Europe. Want More Context? 🔎

Five boys, aged 14 to 17, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a stabbing incident involving a 14-year-old boy on Charlemont Road, Newham, London. The victim remains in a life-threatening condition at the hospital, while one suspect has been released on bail and police are seeking information from the public to aid their investigation. Want More Context? 🔎

Last week, Hong Kong issued arrest warrants for 19 overseas activists, including Canadian journalist Victor Ho, who is based in Vancouver, for their involvement in a self-determination group accused by the government of attempting to undermine its institutions. The actions reflect increasing tensions regarding activism and political dissent related to Hong Kong's governance. Want More Context? 🔎

A man facing drug charges has challenged Alina Habba's authority as the interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey, prompting a federal judge to pause his trial and transfer the case to Pennsylvania. This legal dispute arises after President Trump appointed Habba, whose nomination was withdrawn after a panel of judges selected another attorney, raising questions about the legitimacy of her prosecutorial actions. Want More Context? 🔎

The IMF has slightly raised its global growth forecasts for 2025 to 3% and 2026 to 3.1%, attributing this to strong pre-tariff purchases and a reduced US effective tariff rate; however, it warns of major risks including potential tariff rebounds and geopolitical tensions. Despite resilience in the global economy, concerns remain about the impact of high tariffs on growth and inflation, with the US expected to see growth of 1.9% in 2025. Want More Context?...

A UN conference in New York, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, adopted an "integrated and actionable framework" for a two-state solution between Palestinians and Israel, as announced by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. The conference, amid ongoing violence in Gaza that has resulted in over 60,000 Palestinian deaths, emphasized the need for Palestinian rights and accountability, while Israel and the US opposed the initiative. Want More Context? 🔎