America and Russia concluded four hours of talks in Saudi Arabia, during which they discussed the war in Ukraine; Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, was not invited. Later, when asked why Mr Zelensky had been excluded, Donald Trump called him “grossly incompetent”, blamed him for prolonging the war and retorted: “Where is all the money that’s been given?” Then he suggested that Ukraine hold elections.
Mr Trump’s administration said that America’s schools and universities have less than two weeks to end all diversity initiatives, or risk losing federal funding. The Department of Education said that institutions should “cease illegal use of race” in areas such as admissions, promotions, and scholarships. On Monday America’s government cut $600m in funding to groups that train teachers on concepts like DEI.
Israel withdrew its troops from southern Lebanon but stayed in five strategic positions, only partially fulfilling the terms of a ceasefire agreement. The UN said it was disappointed by the “delay” in the deal’s implementation; Lebanon also criticised the decision. Israeli politicians said that the move would protect residents in northern Israel, but did not specify how long troops would stay there.
Brazil joined OPEC+, an extension of the core oil cartel. Participation in this group makes adherence to the cartel’s mandates voluntary, not binding. In recent years Brazil has ramped up production, becoming the world’s seventh-largest supplier. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the president, wants regulators to allow drilling at the mouth of the Amazon river.
Israel confirmed that Hamas would return the bodies of four hostages on Thursday. On Saturday six captives will be released, including Israelis who have been held for more than a decade. Earlier Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar, said that it would begin negotiations on a second phase of the Gaza ceasefire this week.
Iran charged two British citizens with espionage, local media reported. The married couple had been travelling the world by motorcycle when they were detained in the country in January; an Iranian official accused them of posing as tourists to collect information for “hostile and Western countries”. Britain’s foreign office advises against visiting Iran, warning of “significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention”.
The ill health of Pope Francis, who has spent a fourth night in hospital in Rome, is worrying his flock. On Tuesday the Vatican said the 88-year-old pontiff’s condition is “complex” following a diagnosis of pneumonia in both lungs, but that he “remains in good spirits”. His fragile state has already set off rumours about who might succeed him.
Figure of the day: $18bn. Alibaba’s market value gain on rumours that China’s leaders are rehabilitating the company’s founder, Jack Ma. Read the full story.
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