Sharaa in Moscow. Syria will honor past deals with Russia, Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa told Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday. Russia has sought to retain control of its military bases in Syria following the ouster of its ally, Bashar al-Assad. Sharaa’s visit was particularly sensitive given that Russia is harboring Assad. The two leaders also discussed potential energy and infrastructure projects.
European security talks. The United States will impose “costs” on Russia if the war in Ukraine does not end soon, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said yesterday at a NATO meeting. At the same meeting, NATO’s secretary-general said the alliance and the European Union are coordinating on a drone defense plan for European countries.
Afghanistan-Pakistan truce. The two countries announced a temporary ceasefire following days of deadly cross-border clashes and appeals for de-escalation from regional neighbors such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the truce would last forty-eight hours. The self-declared Islamic State as well as al-Qaeda are trying to resurface in the region, the Associated Press reported.
AU suspends Madagascar. The African Union suspended the country’s membership following a military coup. Army Colonel Michael Randrianirina is due to be sworn in as Madagascar’s transitional president tomorrow, a statement on state television announced. Madagascar follows fellow former French colonies Burkina Faso, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, and Niger, which have all fallen under military control since 2020.
More U.S. support for Argentina. In addition to $20 billion in previously announced direct U.S. support for Argentina, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said yesterday that the United States would help assemble an additional $20 billion from private banks and sovereign wealth funds to help the country repay its debts. Washington seeks to boost support for Argentine President Javier Milei ahead of upcoming elections. Bessent did not provide more details on the newly announced funding.
Cambodia-Thailand climbdown. Cambodia is ready to sign a peace deal with Thailand following border clashes earlier this year, a spokesperson for the ruling party said yesterday. Trump has called for a peace deal ahead of his expected trip this month to Malaysia, which helped mediate a reduction in tensions between the two countries. Thailand did not immediately comment.
Protests in Peru. Antigovernment protests have continued following last week’s ousting of former President Dina Boluarte, with demonstrators demanding action to address insecurity in the country. One person was killed and more than one hundred were wounded in Lima yesterday; protesters clashed with police while attempting to breach a security barrier around Congress. New President José Jerí expressed regret for the demonstrator’s death and pledged to ameliorate crime.
Australia rainforest emissions. Tropical rainforest trees in Queensland, northeast Australia, have become the first in the world to shift from absorbing to emitting greenhouse gases due to hot, dry conditions, according to new research published in Nature. The study examined data on trees’ trunks and branches over almost fifty years and found a shift began around twenty-five years ago.
