Trump and Zelenskyy’s call. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke yesterday about coordinating a monthlong partial truce between Ukraine and Russia to end strikes on energy infrastructure. Trump said the process of aligning Russia and Ukraine on their requests and needs was “very much on track,” while Zelenskyy called the conversation “positive, very substantive, and frank,” saying U.S. and Ukrainian teams were ready to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days. U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz said Washington also agreed to help Kyiv identify air defense systems it could acquire, especially from Europe.
Israel’s ground operation in Gaza. The Israeli military said yesterday it launched limited ground operations in central and southern Gaza, and Israel’s defense minister said the country would soon issue evacuation orders for some parts of the territory. Meanwhile, a second day of Israeli strikes yesterday killed at least forty-eight Palestinians, according to Gaza health workers. Hamas said that Israeli operations in the Netzarim corridor violate the truce with Israel and called on mediators to “step in to renew the cease-fire.”
The year in climate impacts. At least 152 “unprecedented” extreme weather events occurred globally over the course of 2024, the World Meteorological Organization’s annual State of the Global Climate report said. Together, they displaced more people than in any individual year since 2008. Some of the most extreme events listed in the report were Super Typhoon Yagi, which killed hundreds of people in Southeast Asia and China, as well as a heat wave in Saudi Arabia that occurred during the Hajj pilgrimage.
Argentina’s legislature paves way for IMF loan. The lower house of Congress voted 129–108, with six abstentions, to back a presidential decree authorizing President Javier Milei to make a new loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Milei has been in talks with the fund for months. Approval from at least one house of Congress is required for such loan agreements in Argentina, though Milei’s decree did not include details about the IMF’s requirements for the country.
Afghanistan, Pakistan unblock border. The countries reopened their main border crossing yesterday after hostilities between security forces prompted it to close for almost a month. Afghanistan relies heavily on food imports from Pakistan, which had been backed up during the closure. Freight traffic was allowed yesterday, and passenger traffic is due to resume tomorrow.
Protests in Turkey. Thousands of people demonstrated across the country in support of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a main rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. İmamoğlu was detained yesterday alongside dozens of associates in what he called an effort to block his political movement. Turkish authorities have charged İmamoğlu with corruption and supporting terrorism. Authorities said today that thirty-seven people were detained for posting “provocative” content related to İmamoğlu on social media.
South Africa’s tariff review. The government is launching a review of its tariff policies as steelmaker ArcelorMittal considers closing two mills amid competition from low-cost imports from China. ArcelorMittal’s South Africa unit Itac proposed that the government create a trade surveillance mechanism designed to reduce evasion of import taxes. South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition requested public comment on a potential tariff hike on imported steel.
Philippines favors Squad expansion. The Philippines’ armed forces chief said at a New Delhi security conference yesterday that Manila seeks to add India and likely South Korea to joint Asia Pacific military cooperation with Australia, Japan, and the United States that is known as the Squad. The informal group has conducted joint exercises to counter China’s actions in the South China Sea for over a year. Spokespeople from the Indian defense ministry and the embassies of China and South Korea did not immediately comment.
