Here's a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday, including Israel's interception of the Gaza-bound flotilla in international waters, Putin's proposed May 9 ceasefire in Ukraine, and Trump's review of a potential reduction of US troops in Germany.
The Israeli navy intercepted vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters late Wednesday as they headed toward Gaza to break a blockade on the enclave.
The Global Sumud Flotilla said Israeli military boats surrounded the convoy in international waters near the Greek island of Crete, adding that communications were jammed and contact was lost with 11 vessels.
It said Israeli naval forces were alongside the boats and pointing weapons at those on board, stressing that “the Israeli navy cannot silence voices demanding justice.”
The flotilla also called on governments to act to protect its vessels and hold Israel accountable.
The foreign ministers of Türkiye and Spain spoke by phone early Thursday, stressing the “need for a unified international stance” against Israel’s illegal intervention against a Gaza aid flotilla, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
"During the call, it was emphasized that the illegal intervention by Israeli forces against the Global Sumud Flotilla, sailing in international waters off Crete, endangered the lives of numerous civilians of various nationalities and violated international law," Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli wrote on the US social media company X after the call between Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares.
The US is assessing a possible reduction of its military presence in Germany, President Donald Trump said Wednesday.
"The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of Troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time," Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
His remarks came after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the US on Monday for lacking an “exit strategy” in the Iran war, saying Americans were being “humiliated” by the Iranian regime during talks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday spoke over the phone with his US counterpart Donald Trump and proposed a ceasefire in Ukraine on May 9, which Moscow marked as Victory Day in World War II, a Russian presidential aide said.
The phone call took place on the initiative of the Russian side, Russian Presidential Aide for Foreign Affairs Yury Ushakov told reporters in Moscow.
According to him, Putin proposed declaring a ceasefire in Ukraine on May 9, Victory Day in World War II, and Trump endorsed the idea.
Brent crude oil futures jumped 8% to $120 per barrel on Wednesday, hitting their highest level since June 2022, as markets priced in dim prospects for a near-term resolution to the Iran conflict or the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The surge came after US President Donald Trump said Washington would keep its naval blockade on Iran in place until Tehran agrees to a nuclear deal, reinforcing fears of prolonged disruption to energy flows through one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.
The US Federal Reserve kept its benchmark federal funds rate unchanged Wednesday between a target range of 3.5% - 3.75%, as policymakers weighed persistent inflation, rising energy prices and heightened uncertainty from developments in the Middle East.
The decision, which was widely expected, came with an unusual level of disagreement among policymakers, as the Federal Open Market Committee was split 8-4.
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