China Courts Latin America with $9 Billion Credit Line.

Latin America & the Caribbean

China Expands Its Footprint Across Latin America

China is deepening its economic and political influence across Latin America, and it seems like the liberal leaders of Latin America are receptive. At the fourth China-CELAC Forum, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Brazil), Gustavo Petro (Colombia), and Gabriel Boric (Chile) were all present to shore up support from Xi Jinping. China announced a $9 billion yuan-denominated credit line and fresh infrastructure investment for the region, positioning the yuan as an alternative to the US Dollar. Several governments in the region see the partnership as a pragmatic move to secure growth amid political uncertainty.

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Peru’s Prime Minister resigned after losing political support against the backdrop of the national strike. The country remains in a prolonged state of political churn. Read more

A mayoral candidate in Mexico and three of her supporters were murdered while campaigning. Violence ahead of Mexico’s elections continues to rise, with dozens of candidates killed in recent months. Read more

Asia & the Pacific

India and Pakistan Pull Back from the Brink with US-Brokered Ceasefire

After last week's missile exchange left 31 dead, India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire brokered by the United States. High-level negotiations brought both nuclear powers back from the edge, with diplomatic channels reactivated and military de-escalation underway. The agreement comes after intense international pressure and fears of a broader regional war. Analysts caution the truce remains fragile without long-term political solutions, particularly on Kashmir.

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The Philippines held midterm elections this week, with President Marcos Jr.’s allies maintaining control of the Senate. However, the Duterte family also continued to grip onto power, with its allies winning 5 of the 12 seats up for election. Read more

South Korea’s presidential campaigns officially launched, with economic concerns, particularly youth unemployment, dominating early debates. Voters will head to the polls later this year. Read more

Eastern Europe

Russia and Ukraine Hold Direct Peace Talks for the First Time in Three Years

Ukrainian and Russian negotiators met face-to-face for the first time since the war began, but yielded no ceasefire. Talks were held in Istanbul, with both sides agreeing to exchange 1,000 POWs. The Kremlin has requested more talks, while Kyiv demanded an immediate ceasefire, saying Russia demands “non starters.” While far from a breakthrough, the meeting marked a rare diplomatic moment in a war that has largely played out on the battlefield. Observers say future talks may hinge on battlefield dynamics this summer.

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Romania’s presidential runoff is neck-and-neck, with centrist mathematician Nicusor Dan facing off against far-right populist George Simion. The runoff on May 18 could reshape Romania’s place in the EU. Read more

Greece issued a tsunami warning after a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck near the island of Crete. No major damage was reported, but authorities remain on alert. Read more

Middle East

Kurdish Militant Group PKK Disbands After Decades of Armed Struggle

In a surprise move, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced it is disbanding and laying down arms after nearly 40 years of insurgency against Turkey, which cost ~40,000 lives. The group, once designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and EU, said it will pursue Kurdish rights through political and democratic means. The decision has been welcomed cautiously across the region, with questions remaining about how Turkey and regional Kurdish factions will respond.

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Hundreds were killed in Gaza this week, as Israeli airstrikes intensified and aid remained blocked. The UN warned the enclave is nearing total humanitarian collapse. Read more

Syria’s Sharaa skipped the Arab League Summit in Iraq, following backlash over his invitation because of his controversial past. Syria’s delegation, led by its Foreign Minister, went in his stead. Read more

Africa

Mali’s Military Government Bans All Political Groups

Mali's military government shut down all political parties following an increasing number of pro-democracy activists being kidnapped and a pro-democracy rally. Analysts have called it a dramatic setback for democracy and elections have been delayed indefinitely. Once seen as a transitionary force following a 2020 coup, the military has yet to deliver a clear roadmap to return the country to civilian rule. Civil society groups warn of rising authoritarianism, while regional leaders worry the backslide could destabilize neighboring Sahel nations.

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Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party was linked to the majority of human rights violations in April, according to a new watchdog report. Abuses included political intimidation, forced disappearances, and arrests of activists. Read more

Gambian President Adama Barrow pledged transparency on the sale of assets seized from former dictator Yahya Jammeh. The funds are meant to support victims of his regime and boost state finances. Read more

Good News Around the World

China’s carbon emissions have declined for the first time, thanks to a surge in clean energy production. Analysts say this could signal a permanent shift in the country’s climate trajectory.

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Poland launched a free preventive healthcare program for adults aged 20+, aiming to reduce long-term health costs and boost early diagnosis rates.

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Doctors used CRISPR gene-editing to save an infant with a rare immune disorder—the first successful case of its kind. The breakthrough opens new possibilities for treating previously untreatable diseases.

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