Ruling on foreign aid cuts. The Trump administration can continue to freeze billions of dollars that Congress earmarked for HIV and AIDS programs and other global health spending, a federal appeals court ruled yesterday. Aid groups had sued against the freeze, saying it exceeded presidential authority. The court did not rule on that constitutional question, but said the case did not warrant an injunction.
South China Sea tensions. China’s military yesterday said it “drove away” a U.S. ship from an area near the disputed Scarborough Shoal. It was the first known U.S. operation near the shoal in at least six years; Washington said it was still following international law. One day earlier, the Philippines had accused China of “dangerous maneuvers” in the area.
Norway dam sabotage. Norwegian police believe Russian hackers were behind a dam malfunction in April that affected water flows, they said yesterday. Russia’s embassy in Oslo called the accusation “unfounded.” European officials have blamed Russia for a wave of suspected hacking incidents across the region since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Tariff response stimulus. Brazil will issue $5.5 billion worth of credits for companies hit by U.S. tariffs, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said. The plan was temporarily enacted through an executive order but still requires Congressional approval within four months. U.S. tariffs on many Brazilian goods stand at 50 percent. Lula said Brazil would not retaliate with countertariffs “for now.”
Russia crackdown on calls. Russia is restricting some calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, saying the step was necessary in order to fight crime. Telegram did not immediately comment, while a WhatsApp spokesperson said the app “defies government attempts to violate people’s right to secure communication.” Russia listed Meta as an extremist group in 2022 but had allowed WhatsApp to operate as usual.
South Africa-Iran ties. South Africa’s government disassociated itself from comments the country’s top general made while visiting Iran this week, saying they do not represent official foreign policy. The general criticized Israel and expressed solidarity with Iran, calling for deeper ties. South Africa is trying to negotiate a deal with the United States to reduce 30 percent tariffs.
Proposed UN Gaza mission. Spain said yesterday that it endorsed a French proposal for a UN-mandated international mission to stabilize Gaza in the aftermath of the current war. Macron floated the prospect on Monday, saying it should protect civilians and work to support Palestinian governance, without giving further details.
Peru’s pardons for security forces. President Dina Boluarte signed a law pardoning security forces for alleged abuses during the 1980s and 1990s amid operations against leftist rebels. Deaths and disappearances of rural Peruvians were widespread during the conflict. The pardon would wipe 156 sentences and 600 pending trials, the country’s human rights coordinator said. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights spoke out against the pardon.
