World Brief

FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day. Delivered weekdays.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic shake hands in Belgrade, Serbia.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic shake hands in Belgrade, Serbia.

China’s Xi Cultivates ‘Ironclad Friendship’ in Eastern Europe

The anti-Western mindset of Serbia’s and Hungary’s leaders fuels ample opportunities for Chinese investment.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a press conference in Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a press conference in Kyiv.

Kyiv Thwarts Alleged Russian-Backed Assassination Attempt on Zelensky

Plus, Russian authorities detain a U.S. soldier for criminal misconduct.

Displaced Palestinians in the southern Gaza city of Rafah carry their belongings.
Displaced Palestinians in the southern Gaza city of Rafah carry their belongings.

Dueling Hamas-Israel Cease-Fire Claims Cause Confusion as Rafah Evacuates

Netanyahu’s office says Israel’s war cabinet has unanimously decided to continue the Rafah operation.

Pro-Palestinian protesters erect a tent in front of the rectory building of the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
Pro-Palestinian protesters erect a tent in front of the rectory building of the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Pro-Palestinian Campus Protests Go Global

University demonstrations like those seen in the United States have arisen around the world, from Mexico to France to Australia.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro gives a speech as part of the 2024 International Workers’ Day.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro gives a speech as part of the 2024 International Workers’ Day.

Bogotá Cuts Ties With Israel Over ‘Genocidal’ War in Gaza

Colombia is the third Latin American nation to suspend diplomatic relations with Israel since the Israel-Hamas war began.

People protest against the Rwanda deportation bill outside Downing Street in London.
People protest against the Rwanda deportation bill outside Downing Street in London.

U.K. Detains Asylum-Seekers for Deportation to Rwanda

Staunch opposition remains, including in Dublin, where officials fear that Britain’s plan will increase unauthorized migration into Ireland.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads the weekly cabinet meeting.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads the weekly cabinet meeting.

Netanyahu Promises Rafah Attack ‘With or Without a Deal’

Far-right voices in the Israeli prime minister’s cabinet seem to be eclipsing foreign warnings against the planned offensive.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and representatives from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and the Palestinian Authority meet in Saudi Arabia.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and representatives from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and the Palestinian Authority meet in Saudi Arabia.

Blinken Urges Hamas to Accept Hostage Deal

Cease-fire talks center on freeing captives and a permanent truce, even as Israel threatens a Rafah offensive.

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing.
Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing.

Blinken-Xi Talks Highlight Continued Areas of Disagreement

The U.S. secretary of state and the Chinese president tried to stabilize U.S.-China relations, but serious areas of disagreement took the spotlight.

Pro-Palestinian protesters gather on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles.
Pro-Palestinian protesters gather on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles.

Hundreds of Pro-Palestinian Student Protesters Arrested at U.S. Campuses

From Columbia University to the University of Texas at Austin, demonstrations have been met with police responses amid accusations of antisemitism.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Shanghai.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Shanghai.

Blinken Kicks Off Diplomatic Mission in China

U.S. aid to Taiwan, a new TikTok law, and Beijing’s ties with the Kremlin are at the forefront of this week’s visit.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks during a press conference in London.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks during a press conference in London.

U.K. Passes Controversial Rwanda Deportation Bill

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said flights will begin in 10 to 12 weeks no matter what foreign courts say.

A group of about a dozen Israeli soldiers with an ultra-Orthodox Jewish battalion called Netzah Yehuda take part in a trainng operation on a cloudy but bright day. The soldiers are dressed in dark green camouflage and tactical face paint as they hold rifles and gesture to each other as they crouch to hide behind a grassy ridge. A muddy field stretches into the distance behind them.
A group of about a dozen Israeli soldiers with an ultra-Orthodox Jewish battalion called Netzah Yehuda take part in a trainng operation on a cloudy but bright day. The soldiers are dressed in dark green camouflage and tactical face paint as they hold rifles and gesture to each other as they crouch to hide behind a grassy ridge. A muddy field stretches into the distance behind them.
A woman watches an Iranian news TV channel covering an “explosion” near Isfahan, Iran.
A woman watches an Iranian news TV channel covering an “explosion” near Isfahan, Iran.

World Leaders Urge Restraint After Israel Attacks Iran

G-7 foreign ministers, Arab nations, and other major powers condemn further escalation in the Middle East.

A Palestinian boy enters a destroyed building in Rafah.
A Palestinian boy enters a destroyed building in Rafah.

U.S. and Israel Meet to Discuss Rafah Operation

The Biden administration fears an offensive would result in a high civilian death toll.

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