Trump In Saudi Arabia, Kashmir Schools Reopen, Depardieu Verdict

🗞️ FRONT PAGE​​

The Hong Kong Economic Journal lends its front page to the announcement of a 90-day pause in an escalating trade war between the U.S. and China. Washington agreed to lower its tariffs to 30% and China brought its tariffs down to 10%. Additionally, the White House has cut the “de minimis” tariff on China shipments to 54%, a move that benefits Chinese e-commerce platforms like Temu and Shein. The minimum shipment tariffs were originally implemented to level the playing field for American businesses and address unfair trade practices. 

🌎 7 THINGS TO KNOW RIGHT NOW

• Trump starts Gulf visit seeking big economic deals. U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to start a four-day visit to the Gulf region, focusing more on economic deals than pressing regional security matters ranging from war in Gaza to talks over Iran’s nuclear program. Trump is visiting Riyadh, site of a Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum, before going to Qatar on Wednesday and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday. He has not scheduled a stop in Israel, a decision that has raised questions about where Israel stands in Washington’s priorities. French political analyst Pierre Haski notes that something has changed in U.S.-Israeli relations. 

• U.S.-Israeli hostage reunites with family after being freed by Hamas. Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander has been reunited with his family in Israel after being held captive by Hamas in Gaza for 19 months. The 21-year-old had been serving in the Israeli army on the border of Gaza when he was captured by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023. On Monday, Israel paused its military operations in Gaza for a few hours to facilitate the transfer, but has not agreed to a ceasefire.

• Russia responsible for downing of MH17. Russia was responsible for the downing of the Malaysia Airlines flight, MH17, over eastern Ukraine in July 2014, the United Nations aviation agency has ruled. All 298 people on board the passenger plane were killed when it was shot down by a Russian-made missile. The Kremlin has always denied any responsibility for the air disaster.

• First group of 59 white South Africans arrive in U.S. after Trump grants refugee status. President Donald Trump has said the refugee applications for the country’s Afrikaner minority had been expedited as they were victims of “racial discrimination”. The South African government said the group were not suffering any such persecution that would merit refugee status.

• Detained Philippines ex-President wins mayoral race in his home city. Despite his detention by the International Criminal Court, former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has been elected as mayor in his hometown of Davao City by a landslide, according to results on Tuesday. 

• Gérard Depardieu found guilty in sexual assault trial. French film star Gérard Depardieu has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women on a film set at a trial in Paris and given a suspended jail term of 18 months. Depardieu had denied the allegations and his lawyer said he would appeal.

• News Quiz! Which sport is celebrating its 75th anniversary today?
A. Rugby
B. Ultimate Frisbee
C. Mixed Martial Arts
D. Formula One
[Answer below]

💬 LEXICON

Königreich Deutschland

German authorities have banned the “Königreich Deutschland” (Kingdom of Germany), the largest group within the Reichsbürger movement, which refuses to recognize the legitimacy of the Federal Republic. Four of its leaders were arrested. The group created a “counter-state” and operated with a separate currency. The Reichsbürger movement propagates an extremist ideology that harkens back to the pre-World War II German Reich. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said the ban was necessary to protect democracy, describing the group’s actions as “deeply anti-state.”

📰 IN OTHER NEWS

🇺🇦 Between ceasefire proposals and calls for negotiation, the war in Ukraine has, over the past 36 hours, moved to the rhythm of a bidding war. The goal: to convince Donald Trump of each side’s goodwill.
— FRANCE INTER

🇵🇪 Pope Leo XIV’s Latin American connections and first-hand familiarity with the lives of the poor in Peru, will likely reinforce his predecessor’s social vocation and vigorous concern for migrants. But that’s not the only way he expresses his Peruvian side.
— CLARÍN

📦 Beneath the world’s most famous avenue, a bonafide metamorphosis is unfolding to create a massive underground warehouse in the heart of Paris
— LE FIGARO

📣 VERBATIM

“This is the weaponization of humanitarian aid.”

— UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has warned that famine is “imminent” in parts of Gaza and accused Israel of obstructing the flow of humanitarian supplies. Speaking with the BBC following the Israeli military’s seizure of the Rafah crossing, Lazzarini agreed with accusations that Israel’s denying food and humanitarian aid to civilians was a weapon of war, and he urged all parties to protect civilians. “People will not die because of the bombardment, but they will die because of the lack of food. This is the weaponization of humanitarian aid.”