Biden budget proposal excludes UNRWA funds, renews $14 billion request for Israel (www.timesofisrael.com)
Israel’s war on Gaza: List of key events, day 162 (www.aljazeera.com)
Palestinian officials say Israeli forces have killed 36 people, mainly children, near the Nuseirat refugee camp.
Don’t rule out troops to Ukraine, Finnish FM says (www.politico.com)
Argentina inflation seen cooling as Milei austerity tempers food prices (www.reuters.com)
Israel Lobby Pushes Lie That People Are Not Starving in Gaza: Report (www.rollingstone.com)
A plan to find new leadership for Haiti is moving forward, Caribbean officials say (apnews.com)
A plan to create a transitional presidential council is moving forward after a majority of Haitian parties and coalitions submitted the names of those charged with finding new leaders for the country, Caribbean officials said Thursday....
Senegal’s top opposition leader freed from prison ahead of presidential election this month (apnews.com)
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegal’s top opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, has been released from prison ahead of the presidential election later this month, triggering jubilant celebrations across the country’s capital....
Syrskyi: Russia trying to break through in Avdiivka direction, Ukraine facing ‘intense artillery fire’ (kyivindependent.com)
Russia election: Arrests for vandalism as ballot boxes targeted in Putin vote (www.bbc.com)
Israel says it plans 'humanitarian islands' for Gaza displaced (www.bbc.com)
Israel’s military has said it plans to move displaced Palestinians in Gaza to what it called “humanitarian islands” in the middle of the strip, ahead of any offensive in Rafah....
South Korea to China: Why is East Asia producing so few babies? (www.aljazeera.com)
Rescuers among at least 14 victims of Russian ‘double tap’ strike on Odesa (www.telegraph.co.uk)
China wants to rid itself of Western tech by 2027 -- outlines domestic alternatives in 'Document 79' (www.tomshardware.com)
The WSJ reports that China is on an extensive push to drive out Western tech companies from the country and replace them with domestic alternatives. China reportedly started its domestic expansion in 2022 with a highly secretive “Document 79,” an initiative focused on deleting Western tech companies from the country. Since...
Japan same-sex marriage ban ruled unconstitutional again by courts, remains the only G7 country not to recognize (www.bbc.com)
Israel talks with Hamas back on as terror group drops permanent ceasefire demand (www.telegraph.co.uk)
Croatian parliament dissolves to pave way for parliamentary election later this year (apnews.com)
ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Croatia’s parliament was dissolved on Thursday to pave the way for a parliamentary election later this year....
Torture, executions, babies left to die, sexual abuse… These are Israel’s crimes (www.middleeasteye.net)
Blow for Milei as Senate rejects sweeping mega-reform decree | Buenos Aires Times (batimes.com.ar)
Gangsters, Money and Murder: How Chinese Organized Crime Is Dominating America’s Illegal Marijuana Market (www.propublica.org)
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Eliminates Means Testing, Provides Free High School & University Education for Residents (open.substack.com)
Inside Moscow as Russia votes in election with no opposition to Putin (www.nbcnews.com)
NBC News spoke to people outside a polling station in the Russian capital Friday. With the winner in no doubt, the Kremlin will instead be looking to turnout as a measure of public support for President Vladimir Putin’s extended rule across this vast country....
Canada moves to protect coral reef that scientists say ‘shouldn’t exist’ (www.theguardian.com)
US, G-7 allies warn Iran to back off deal to provide Russia ballistic missiles or face new sanctions (apnews.com)
The United States and allies warned Iran on Friday that major Western economies will pile new sanctions on Tehran if it moves forward with an advancing plan to provide ballistic missiles to Russia for its war with Ukraine....