German leadership vote surprise. Christian Democratic Union leader Friedrich Merz fell short in a vote today to become Germany’s chancellor, a surprise result after his conservative alliance came first in recent parliamentary elections. A handful of his prospective coalition members switched sides. He could still secure support in a second vote. Merz had moved to broker deals on lifting the country’s borrowing limit before even assuming national leadership.
Asian economic safety net. China, Japan, South Korea, and the ten members of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to create a new joint crisis-response financial mechanism. It will be designed to respond to pandemics and natural disasters and draw on the framework of an already existing currency swap arrangement. At a meeting over the weekend, the countries called for “enhanced regional unity and cooperation” in response to escalating protectionism.
India-Japan security cooperation. The two countries decided to set up a new body for military consultations after both of their defense ministers met in New Delhi. They also agreed to expand the scale of joint military exercises and discuss potential exports of a Japanese stealth antenna system to India and joint development of fighter jets and tanks.
ICJ dismisses Sudan case. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) dismissed a case in which Sudan’s government accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of fueling genocide in Darfur by arming the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The court did not rule on the merits of the allegations but rather said it did not have jurisdiction to evaluate the case. When the UAE joined the ICJ in 2005 it lodged a “reservation” to a clause allowing countries to sue each other.
Sanctions for Myanmar scams. The United States announced sanctions against members of an ethnic militia in Myanmar, the Karen National Army, saying they facilitated cyber scams and human trafficking. Hundreds of people have been forced to take part in scam operations in Southeast Asia in recent years, the UN human rights office has said. A spokesperson for the militia denied involvement in scams; its leader has already been sanctioned by the European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK).
U.S.-Rwanda talks on migration. Rwanda’s foreign minister said the country is in the “early stages” of talks with the United States on accepting deported migrants from third countries. Asked about the negotiations, the U.S. State Department said “engagement with foreign governments is vital” to carrying out U.S. migration policy. The UK planned to send deportees to Rwanda before the scheme was scrapped in 2024 following legal challenges.
Europe’s pitch for scientists. The EU announced an over $560 million program to attract international science students. Speakers at the launch event criticized the Trump administration’s efforts to cut federal research funding for universities, with French President Emmanuel Macron saying “the world’s biggest democracy” was making a “mistake.” The White House said yesterday that the Trump administration’s review of research spending “is not going to upend America’s innovative dominance.”
Reported DRC, Rwanda peace proposals. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda each submitted outlines of a peace deal to the United States, Trump’s Africa advisor Massad Boulos wrote on social media. Boulos has said Washington is negotiating mineral deals with both countries and aims to broker the signing of a peace agreement this month at the White House.
