US to shut five consulates as critics fear China could fill diplomatic vacuumState department informs Congress of planned closures in Canada, Grenada, Japan, Indonesia and CameroonThe US state department is to shut five foreign consulates and missions across Asia, Africa, North America and the Caribbean, drawing criticism that it is leaving a diplomatic vacuum at risk of being filled by China.The US Congress has been served notice of the impending closures, which are being justified on cost grounds and follow a reassessment of the US's bilateral relationships with a range of countries since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025. Continue reading...
Wednesday briefing: How misinformation and a hardened immigration policy turned Ceuta into Europe's latest flashpointIn today's newsletter: The past week shows how quickly images, rumours and right-wing political opportunism can eclipse the facts on the groundGood morning. Last week, an estimated 72,000 migrants began crossing into a tiny Spanish enclave on the tip of Morocco. Within 24 hours, most of them had headed home. At least 88 people died after attempting the crossing, according to local officials. This isn't the whole story of what happened over the last week, but the facts are worth remembering.At an emergency meeting yesterday, EU interior ministers sought to draw a line under Ceuta, insisting that the passport-free Schengen area had never been at risk from the arrival of migrants at this scale. Despite this, much of the media coverage has suggested that events in Ceuta represent a territorial threat to Europe, sparking calls for greater security across the region's borders. Environment | Eight of the biggest oil companies amassed profits of more than $90bn (£67bn) in just three months as the Iran conflict sent energy prices soaring and the emissions-fuelled climate crisis caused deadly heatwaves. UK politics | Women should not feel pressurised into experiencing an "ideal birth", the new health secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said, promising a root-and-branch reform of standards after several damning maternity scandals. Middle East | Jordan is convening an emergency meeting over an "imminent" threat of an Israeli takeover of the most important Muslim site in Jerusalem, with the potential to "trigger a religious conflict". Ukraine | Russian strikes in and around Kyiv killed at least 14 people, injured 27 and damaged warehouses, emergency service officials said. Some reports put the death toll at 15. Ceuta | Hundreds of people have gathered in the northern Moroccan town of Fnideq, near the border with Spain's Ceuta, flashing photos of their missing loved ones to passersby in the hope of tracking them down. Continue reading...
Stronger EU borders needed after Ceuta crisis, von der Leyen saysEuropean Commission president says work needed in five areas of migration control including returning more peopleThe president of the European Commission has called for action to strengthen Europe's borders after tens of thousands of people arrived and quickly left the Spanish territory of Ceuta, triggering a furious row between Madrid and other European countries.In a letter to Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, on Monday, Ursula von der Leyen said: "From this incident, it is clear that we must do more to further strengthen our borders at critical points, including vigilant monitoring and the use of physical barriers where needed." Continue reading...
Toronto zoo announces birth of pygmy hippo calf, third for mother KindiaThe 20-year-old's third calf is being monitored by officials as survival rates for the species are challenging, the zoo saidThe Toronto Zoo has announced the birth of a female pygmy hippo calf.Kindia, the zoo's 20-year-old pygmy hippo, started showing signs of labor at around 8.15am last Sunday, it said. Around four hours later, the calf's feet emerged and after 1.5 hours of active labor, Kindia successfully gave birth to the baby pygmy hippo. Continue reading...
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