Europe

Tourist Attack in Kashmir, Trump Softens Tariff Stance on China and Ukraine Peace Talks Setbacks. Plus, how we’re putting the bots to the test. Andrew Sheves Good morning. 🇮🇳** 26 Tourists Killed in Kashmir Attack** Gunmen killed 26 tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir in the deadliest attack in 25 years. The Resistance Front who claimed the attack are believed to be linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. The attack, targeting mostly Indian civilians at the “valley of shepherds” tourist destination, threatens to escalate India-Pakistan tensions, with some experts describing it as “an act of war.” More - Al Jazeera ...

New Chinese Trade Negotiator and Israel Increases Pressure on Gaza Andrew Sheves Good morning. 🇨🇳 China Names New Trade Negotiator Amid Tariff War with US China has appointed Li Chenggang, former assistant commerce minister and WTO ambassador, to replace veteran negotiator Wang Shouwen as its key trade envoy amid escalating tensions with the United States. The surprise move comes as Beijing faces the impact of Trump’s increased tariffs, which recently jumped from 10% to 145%, with China retaliating by raising duties on US goods to 125%. Despite reporting better-than-expected first-quarter GDP growth of 5.4%, Chinese officials warned of economic challenges ahead as the tariffs begin to affect exports. A Chinese official criticized the US approach as “tariff barriers and trade bullying” that “violates economic laws” and “has a serious impact on the world economic order.” More - BBC ...

UN chief Condemns Gaza Blockade and Dozens Killed in Dominican Republic Nightclub Accident Andrew Sheves Good morning. 🇵🇸** UN Chief Condemns Gaza Blockade** UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has denounced Israel’s month-long aid blockade of Gaza, calling the territory “a killing field” where “civilians are in an endless death loop.” Guterres rejected Israel’s proposal to control aid deliveries, stating the UN “will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect humanitarian principles.” During a visit to El Arish, French President Emmanuel Macron joined Egypt’s President el-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II in calling for an immediate return to a ceasefire as humanitarian conditions deteriorate for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. More - Aljazeera ...

China Simulates Attacks on Taiwan, Liberation Day Arrives but Details Still Shrouded in Secrecy, Chinese FM Visits Moscow Andrew Sheves Good morning. We had a great response to yesterday’s announcement of our partnership with HumanRisks and are excited to build out our joint offering together. Thanks for all the kind notes. (In case you missed it, the full announcement is here) Three headlines to start your day. 🇹🇼 China Simulates Attacks on Taiwan ...

Black Sea Ceasefire and Anti-Hamas Protests in Gaza Andrew Sheves Good morning. Two headlines for you today. 🇺🇦 Black Sea Ceasefire Deal Russia and Ukraine agreed to a naval ceasefire in the Black Sea through separate deals with the US after three days of peace talks in Saudi Arabia. Russia stipulated the ceasefire would only take effect after sanctions against its food and fertilizer trade are lifted, while Ukraine’s Zelensky called the agreement “a step in the right direction” but warned his country would seek further sanctions if Moscow violates its commitments. Both sides also agreed to develop measures implementing a ban on attacking each other’s energy infrastructure, though accusations of violations emerged shortly after the announcement. More - BBC ...

Putin-Trump Fail to Agree Ceasefire and Gaza Offensive Resumes with ‘Full Force’ Andrew Sheves Good morning. Two headlines to start your day 🇺🇦** Trump-Putin Fail to Reach Ceasefire Agreement** Putin rejected Trump’s requested 30-day Ukraine ceasefire, instead offering only to limit attacks on energy infrastructure while demanding an end to Western weapons transfers. Despite the limited agreement, Trump claimed victory and announced peace negotiations are underway, while Ukraine’s Zelenskiy conditionally accepted the arrangement. European allies remain skeptical, with the UK discussing accelerated arms shipments before any ceasefire takes effect. More - Bloomberg ...

Train Siege in Pakistan, EU Hits Back with Tariffs and a Ukraine Peace Deal Heads to Moscow Andrew Sheves Good morning. 🇵🇰** Train Siege in Pakistan** Security forces have freed over 100 passengers from a militant train attack in Pakistan’s Balochistan region, killing at least 17 attackers in an ongoing operation. The Baloch Liberation Army seized the Jaffar Express carrying more than 400 passengers, threatening to kill hostages if authorities did not release Baloch political prisoners within 48 hours. Rescue operations continue in the remote Sibi district where the train remains surrounded by mountains. More - BBC ...

Trade Wars Kick Off and an Alternate Plan for Gaza from the Middle East Andrew Sheves Good morning. 🏴‍☠️ Trade War(s) Kick Off In response to US tariffs, Canada refused to concede to American pressure and responded with reciprocal measures. China and Mexico have also vowed retaliatory measures to come soon. However, by evening, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that tariffs could be lifted as early as Wednesday, deepening confusion. [More - Bloomberg] ...

Ukraine’s Worst Day Since the Russian Invasion Andrew Sheves Good morning. 🇺🇦 Yesterday was the most consequential day for Ukraine since the Russian invasion three years ago. US statements after the talks between the US and Russia did little to push back Russia’s demands that Ukraine cede any territory held by Russia, would not join NATO and that no foreign troops be stationed in the country. But the real damage came at a press conference Tuesday afternoon when President Donald Trump blamed Ukraine for starting the war, attacked President Zelenskyy personally, and demanded that presidential elections take place as part of any peace deal. Trump and Zelenskyy have had a difficult relationship but this is the most hostile Trump has been towards the Ukrainian leader and this seems to cement Zelenskyy’s exclusion from negotiations. [More - Politico] ...

Shell Nigeria Clean Up Criticisms, FCPA Pause and the Slow March Back to Conflict in Gaza Andrew Sheves Good morning. 🇳🇬 Shell allegedly ignored repeated warnings about corruption and mismanagement in its $1bn oil pollution clean-up operation in Nigeria’s Ogoniland region. Whistleblowers claim that Shell was aware that the clean-up project was awarding contracts to inexperienced companies, falsifying lab results, and inflating costs. The revelations come as Shell faces a High Court trial in London this week, where 50,000 Ogoniland residents seek compensation for oil spills that occurred between 1989 and 2020. [More - BBC] ...