- The Guardian
- Issue #2134
BRITAIN: Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through central London to protest US President Trump’s proposal to “take over”the Gaza Strip. The placards and banners in the march read, “Hands Off Gaza,” “Stand Up to Trump,” “Mr Trump, Canada is not your 51st state, Gaza is not your 52nd,” “Not Another Child Killed, Not Another Hospital Bombed.” The march, organised by the Palestine solidarity Campaign (PSC), was the 24th major pro-Palestinian protest in London since 7 October 2023.
CHINA: China has criticised the deployment of the US Typhoon missile system in the Philippines. A Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson stressed that this missile system, considered a strategic offensive weapon, poses a significant risk to regional security. The US side said that the move did not establish a permanent presence of the system. In its turn, Manila declared that it would return the missiles to the US if China stops its territorial claims, stops harassing local fishermen and ceases incidents with boats. According to the Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman, the Philippines reneged on its own commitment by allowing the introduction of the US system. He pointed out that the decision to deploy Typhoon not only compromises the nation’s national security, but also increases the risks of geo-political confrontation and arms races in the region. China’s actions in the disputed maritime areas, he said, including law enforcement operations, are legal, and justified under international law. The territorial boundaries of the Philippines are clearly defined by a series of international treaties, such as the US-Spain Peace Treaty of 1898, the 1900 Treaty of Cession and the 1930 Boundary Delimitation Agreement.
BRAZIL: The BRICS summit of heads of state, a forum of emerging economies, will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 6 June and 7, 2025. Brazil assumed the rotating presidency of BRICS on 1 January 2025. This year’s summit will discuss US President Trump’s threats to impose 100 per cent tariffs on BRICS members for “trying to move away from the dollar,” as well as worldwide conflicts and wars. The previous summit was held in the Russian city of Kazan. At that summit Russian President Putin pointed out that the combined annual production of BRICS members exceeds 60 trillion US dollars.
SYRIA: A national dialogue conference will advise on a new constitution and will include representatives of all rebel factions in the civil war – bar the Kurds. Organisers said participants would be selected based on “expertise, public influence, and inclusivity.” However, former officials of the Assad government will be excluded, as will representatives of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which have refused to be incorporated into the new military.
SUDAN: Khartoum and Moscow have agreed on the establishment of a Russian naval base in Sudan. The agreement outlines the creation of logistical support for the Russian navy. It will serve as a hub for ship repairs and resupply. The facility’s personnel will be limited to 300, with a maximum of four Russian vessels permitted to be stationed there at the same time. Sudan also plans to sign agreements with Russian companies for industrial, commercial, and oil-related projects, focusing on over 20 oil wells in conflict-free zones such as the Red Sea region and western Sudan.
