Latest news for 29 April 2025

RUSSIA

Putin proposes another 72-hour ceasefire.

Putin’s announced three-day unilateral ceasefire purports to start on May 8 to mark Russia’s WWII commemorations. (Al Jazeera)

Comment: Putin is likely trying to distract from the fact he’s still refused to accept the Trump-Zelensky 30-day unconditional ceasefire. And that refusal isn’t because he’s winning, but rather because he knows any pause at this stage risks admitting strategic defeat (a million of his own men dead, and all to control less of Ukraine now than he did in March 2022).

ISRAEL

Ronen Bar to step down.

The head of Israel’s domestic intelligence service has announced he’s stepping down in June amid a deepening feud with PM Netanyahu. Bar testified their relationship soured after he refused Netanyahu’s requests to spy on Israeli protesters and disrupt a corruption trial against the PM, who denies these claims. (Reuters)

USA

Amazon launches first satellites for Starlink rival.

Amazon has just launched its first 27 low-orbit broadband satellites under Project Kuiper, a presumed rival to the monopoly of Elon Musk’s Starlink. (space.com)

Comment: Musk’s recent high-profile role in politics and geopolitics has startled a few foreign capitals suddenly realising their dependence on one man. So there’ll be no shortage of folks yearning for another option, even if it’s another US billionaire.

CHINA

Beijing-backed NGOs infiltrate the UN?

The Washington Post and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) just dropped a spicy joint piece on dozens of Beijing-backed NGOs at UN meetings in Geneva, reportedly trying to paint China in a better light (including via witness intimidation). (WP $)

Comment: This sounds on-brand for the Communist Party’s ‘United Front Work Department’, which runs influence operations abroad. And indeed, if you dig into the ICIJ’s ‘FAQ’ page, you’ll see the investigators duly point that particular finger.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Wildcard election.

Locals hit the polls yesterday (Monday) for one of the Caribbean nation’s least predictable elections in recent history. The winner (centrist ex-PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar) now inherits rising crime, a cost of living crisis, instability in neighbours like Haiti and Venezuela, plus uncertainty around US intentions. (The Guardian)

BANGLADESH

Troops to join Qatari army.

Bangladesh is now planning to send hundreds of troops to serve in Qatar’s armed forces, adding to the 6,000 already in Kuwait’s military. (Arab News)

Comment: What these Gulf kingdoms have in riches, they lack in local manpower. But they’re not alone — Australia, the US, the UK, Canada, and Russia are some of the many that’ve turned to non-citizens to help plug military recruitment gaps. It can work, but only after you clear big hurdles like security, cohesion, and training.

YEMEN

US strike on migrant prison kills dozens?

Yemen’s armed Houthis are claiming US airstrikes have hit a prison holding African migrants. For now, the US says it’s looking into the claims. (CNN)

Comment: This whole saga is a reminder how tricky any kinetic response can be, with curveballs across everything from alliance-building (some high-profile absentees), OpSec (Signalgate), force protection (a US jet just fell overboard while dodging Houthis), targeting (if these claims are verified), info-warfare (if they’re not), and effectiveness (through it all, the Houthis are still there, harassing ships).