本週最重要的政治新聞（每週必讀）

The World This Week

Politics

Syrian Red Crescent members transport injured civilians from the Kmeimim base, Latakia, Syria

Around 800 people were killed in four days of sectarian clashes in Syria. Insurgents loyal to the former regime launched a series of attacks across the Alawite heartlands. In response, fighters close to Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s interim president, along with jihadist factions, advanced into the region. Videos posted online appear to show evidence of atrocities by pro-government fighters. Mr Sharaa said a committee would investigate the violence and report back within 30 days.

Mr Sharaa signed a deal with the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led militia, to integrate it into state institutions. It could restore central control over Syria’s north-east for the first time in a decade.

Israel cut off its supply of electricity in Gaza. Eli Cohen, the energy minister, said the country would use all tools at its disposal to ensure the return of the hostages still being held by Hamas and other Palestinian groups in the strip.

Under pressure from America, Israel and Lebanon agreed to hold talks about their long-contested border. The Israeli government released five Lebanese prisoners in what it said was “a gesture” of goodwill.

The Solong, a Portuguese-registered cargo ship, collided with the Stena Immaculate, a tanker carrying jet fuel for the American armed forces, in the North Sea. Prolonged fires burned on both vessels. More than 30 crew were rescued, but one person is believed lost. British police arrested the captain of the Solong, a Russian, on suspicion of gross negligence and manslaughter.

A dispute between Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK and Rupert Lowe, an MP suspended by the right-wing British party, showed no sign of abating. Police confirmed that they were investigating an allegation that Mr Lowe had threatened the party’s chairman. Mr Lowe denies the allegations.

A federal judge stopped the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist who led demonstrations at Columbia University. The green-card holder was detained by immigration authorities in New York. President Donald Trump warned his arrest was the first of many.

Cancel Culture

Marco Rubio, America’s secretary of state, said USAID would cancel 83% of its programmes. The State Department will administer the remaining contracts. Mr Rubio thanked the Department of Government Efficiency for “overdue and historic reform”.

America’s House of Representatives narrowly passed a funding bill to avert a partial government shutdown. The vote was a victory for Mr Trump who called for Republican unity on the measure. Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Senate minority leader, said his party will not support the bill.

The Pakistani army rescued more than 300 hostages onboard a train in the province of Balochistan that was hijacked by separatist militants. The army engaged in a day-long stand-off with members of the Baloch Liberation Army who took passengers hostage. At least 21 civilian hostages and four Pakistani military personnel were killed.

Rodrigo Duterte, a former president of the Philippines, was extradited to the Netherlands to face charges over alleged crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court. He awaits trial in prison. When president he urged police to commit thousands of extra-judicial killings as part of his war on drugs.

South Korea’s top court will rule on whether to impeach the country’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, over his failed attempt to declare martial law in December last year. Police are braced for civil unrest.

Uganda said it had sent troops to South Sudan to help the government secure Juba, the capital, as regional leaders convened an emergency meeting to address worsening violence in the country.

A female senator in Nigeria’s upper house was suspended by her fellow lawmakers after filing a petition alleging that Godswill Akpabio, the senate’s president, had sexually harassed her (he denies the allegations). Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only four women in Nigeria’s 109-seat senate, vowed to fight her suspension. The senate leadership claimed she was suspended for “unruly and disruptive” behaviour and not because of her allegations against Mr Akpabio.

Mark Carney celebrating winning the leadership of the Liberal Party of CanadaPhotograph: AP馬克·卡尼慶祝贏得加拿大自由黨領袖職位

Mark Carney won the race to lead Canada’s Liberal Party in a landslide, with 86% of party-member votes. Chrystia Freeland, a former member of the incumbent cabinet, came a distant second with just 8% of ballots. The former central banker will become prime minister. The 59-year-old will probably call an election soon after. A wave of anti-Trump sentiment has put the Liberals back into contention, after years spent trailing Canada’s Conservative Party.

I’ll Think About It

Russia said it was carefully considering a proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. America secured Ukrainian agreement to the idea in principle during talks in Saudi Arabia; it also said it would “immediately” unblock the flow of American weapons and intelligence, which were cut off six days earlier. Donald Trump said an American team would go to Moscow. Vladimir Putin visited the front lines in Russia’s Kursk province dressed in military attire. His forces continued to push Ukrainian troops out of the territory, taking control of the town of Sudzha.

Calin Georgescu, a pro-Russian candidate, was barred against running in Romania’s presidential elections in May. Mr Georgescu’s previous victory in the first round in November was declared void amid concern over Russian interference. He tried unsuccessfully to appeal against the ban.

Portugal’s government collapsed after the prime minister lost a confidence vote after allegations of a conflict of interest with his family business. Luís Montenegro, who denies any wrongdoing, has led the centre-right minority government for 11 months. A snap election is expected to take place in May. It will be the country’s third election in less than four years.

The centre-right Democrats won Greenland’s election in a surprise victory with around 30% of the vote. The party, which favours a moderate approach to independence from Denmark, will enter into coalition talks. The election was dominated by talk of independence after Donald Trump said he wanted to buy the Arctic island.

打造

獨立思考 | 國際視野 | 英文學習

小組

01 經濟學人打卡營