Moscow weighs in on new US foreign policy plan

UK gilt yields have seen a slight decrease compared to other major economies, indicating a potential shift in the bond markets as Chancellor Rachel Reeves navigates fiscal challenges. Despite this drop, the UK still faces a significant premium on borrowing costs, with 10-year government gilt yields rising compared to US Treasury bonds and eurozone counterparts since the last general election.

The US and European nations have called on Rwanda and the M23 rebel group to cease their offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following the recent signing of a peace agreement in Washington. This appeal comes as M23 fighters have taken control of the strategic city of Uvira, prompting a mass exodus of civilians into Burundi.

The United States and Russia convened a business dialogue in Dubai aimed at establishing a long-term agenda for enhanced cooperation, as outlined in a joint statement. This meeting signifies a potential thaw in relations between the two nations, which have been strained in recent years due to geopolitical tensions.

The ACLU has filed a lawsuit seeking a legal basis for former President Trump's military strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean, which have been criticized for their minimal impact on drug flows. Experts argue that these actions have resulted in significant loss of life without effectively addressing the drug trade.

The United States has sanctioned several Colombian citizens accused of establishing a transnational network to recruit fighters for the ongoing conflict in Sudan. This action highlights the U.S. government's efforts to combat the involvement of foreign mercenaries in international conflicts, particularly in regions experiencing severe humanitarian crises.

The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of Colombian nationals and companies accused of recruiting mercenaries to support the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, a paramilitary group implicated in severe war crimes, including genocide. This action highlights the U.S. government's ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where violence has escalated dramatically.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine and Europe are preparing to present a 'refined' peace plan to the United States in the near future, amid ongoing tensions with Russia. This development follows recent criticisms from former President Donald Trump regarding European nations, which he labeled as 'weak' and 'decaying.'

Civicus, a nonprofit organization monitoring global civic freedoms, has downgraded the civic health rating of the United States from 'narrowed' to 'obstructed', reflecting increased restrictions on civil society under the Trump administration. This classification indicates that while civil society organizations still exist, they face significant challenges from state authorities, including illegal surveillance and bureaucratic harassment.