U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a deal with Ukraine that provides preferential access to new mineral licenses and funds investment in Ukraine's reconstruction. The agreement was announced on Wednesday in Washington and marks an important milestone in the Ukraine-US strategic partnership aimed at strengthening Ukraine's economy and security. The deal was discussed with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who also mentioned coordinating steps ahead of international events. The joint investment fund for Ukraine's reconstruction is a key component of the agreement, which aims to secure a peace settlement in Russia's war in Ukraine.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40360500/ukraines-foreign-minister-hails-minerals-deal-with-us-as-milestoneTürkiye and Hungary are strengthening their bilateral cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced that Turkish Petroleum's investment in Europe marked an important milestone, with plans to expand cooperation to third countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The partnership includes deals between TPAO and MOL, as well as a gas export deal through BOTAŞ and MVM in 2023. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto hailed this as a new milestone in energy cooperation, with plans for further collaboration in oil, gas, electricity, and nuclear energy.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/tpao-to-explore-natural-gas-and-oil-at-two-sites-in-hungary-208693Talks between the US and UAE on trade agreements have intensified following a visit by UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan in March, with discussions taking place at both the White House and the Commerce Department.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/968164-chamber-of-commerce-urges-trump-to-lift-tariffs-on-goods-that-cannot-be-made-in-the-usU.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko signed a deal in Washington, D.C., providing preferential access to new Ukrainian minerals deals and funding for Ukraine's reconstruction efforts.
https://channelnewsasia.com/world/us-ukraine-minerals-deal-what-we-know-5103156The UN is calling for the lifting of the blockade on Gaza, with Tom Fletcher stating that hostages should not have been taken and that humanitarian aid should always be allowed into the region, emphasizing that civilian lives saved by aid should never be used as a bargaining chip.
https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-palestinians-humanitarian-blockade-7319535c68bbe7a7a93e4430602c475dJordan's Permanent Representative to the UN Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud urged the Security Council to enforce Resolution 2735 and other decisions calling for Gaza border crossings to be opened and essential supplies to be allowed unimpeded. He condemned Israel's actions as severe breaches of international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention. Hmoud called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, an end to the blockade, and a prisoner exchange deal facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, and the US. He also emphasized the need for Gaza reconstruction based on a joint Egyptian-Palestinian plan, which has broad international support.
https://www.jordantimes.com/news/region/jordan-urges-un-stop-%E2%80%98bloodshed%E2%80%99-gaza-pressure-israel-open-crossings-aidThe US President Donald Trump's return to office has led to a significant impact on humanitarian organizations worldwide. The UN refugee agency is preparing to cut up to 30% of its staff, while the International Organization for Migration will lay off over 6,000 employees, or nearly a third of its workforce. The World Food Programme and OCHA are also cutting jobs, with thousands more at risk. Staff unions claim that international UN workers are being let go without social or financial support, despite sacrificing their personal lives to help those in need.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/not-a-commodity-un-staff-rally-over-deep-cuts/article_bc6d73f5-de39-580a-bcb6-ae32e7a6914b.htmlHundreds of UN staff gathered outside the European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, protesting job losses triggered by US President Donald Trump's aid cuts. The protest comes as the city, known for its humanitarian and diplomatic role, faces significant job losses due to reduced funding.
https://www.asiaone.com/world/hundreds-un-staff-swiss-city-protest-job-cuts-triggered-trumpUS aid cuts are having a devastating impact on millions of children worldwide, including five-year-old Ahmad from Jordan who relies on physiotherapy sessions to walk with crutches due to his spinal malformation. The US has cut 83% of its aid, affecting programs in countries such as Bangladesh and Mozambique that provide food and water to internally displaced people, including tens of thousands of children. The cuts will also impact vaccination programs, potentially leading to the deaths of an estimated 1.3 million children from vaccine-preventable diseases. NGOs like Save the Children and Solidarites International are struggling to cope with the reduced funding, forcing them to ration food and shut down vital services.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/millions-of-children-to-suffer-from-trump-aid-cuts/article_93f3a09b-d036-528a-bf6b-46021cd6c134.html