Edges

The Politburo, a top decision-making body of the ruling Communist Party, was cited as saying by state news agency Xinhua that the economy got off to a better-than-expected start this year.

• Brazilian President announced on Monday a comprehensive enforcement initiative targeting illegal logging and land invasions in the Amazon, deploying 5,000 additional federal agents to protected areas. • The government committed to reducing deforestation rates by 80 percent over the next two years through satellite monitoring and criminal prosecutions of organized trafficking networks. • Environmental groups and the U.S. State Department praised the pledge as a meaningful step toward climate commitments, though skeptics noted enforcement challenges in remote regions.

• Filipino coast guard vessels and Chinese maritime militia engaged in a tense standoff Friday near Scarborough Shoal, with both nations claiming territorial waters; no shots were fired, but vessels came within 500 meters of each other, Filipino officials reported. • The incident involved disputed fishing rights and resource access; the Philippines detained three Chinese fishing boats accused of illegal harvesting in Manila-claimed waters, while China demanded their immediate release. • The US State Department reiterated commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines and called for peaceful resolution, warning that any military escalation in the strategic waterway threatens global trade and stability.

Prime minister tells Jewish leaders legislation against malign state actors will go before parliament in JulyKeir Starmer has promised to proscribe Iran’s Revolutionary Guards by introducing legislation in the next session of parliament in July.On a trip to Kenton united synagogue in north-west London on Thursday, the prime minister said he wanted “to make Britain a country where our Jewish community feels safe”. Continue reading...

• USAID announced $200 million emergency aid on April 8, 2026, for Ethiopia's northern drought affecting 4.2 million people facing acute famine. • Funds will deliver food, water, and medical supplies via UN partners to Tigray and Amhara regions, where child malnutrition rates hit 30%. • The crisis, worsened by conflict and failed rains, threatens Horn of Africa stability; US envoy warned of 'catastrophic' death toll without swift action.

Anas Sarwar says scheme would be part of overhaul of arts funding in ScotlandLabour has pledged to spend £30m on giving Scottish artists and musicians a living wage, mirroring a similar scheme in Ireland guaranteeing artists a basic income.Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, said the scheme would be part of a deeper shake-up of cultural funding in Scotland by integrating arts and culture into the Scottish government’s economic strategies if his party won power in next month’s Holyrood election. Continue reading...

• A UN report released April 5, 2026, warns of famine in Sudan affecting 25 million people, prompting the US to announce $500 million in emergency food aid amid ongoing civil war. • USAID Administrator Samantha Power highlighted clashes between RSF and SAF displacing 4.5 million since last year, with child malnutrition rates at 30% in Darfur. • The crisis underscores US humanitarian leadership but strains budgets amid domestic priorities, potentially influencing congressional funding debates.

• The United Nations reported on April 4, 2026, that 25 million Sudanese face famine risk due to ongoing civil war blocking aid routes in Darfur and Khartoum. • US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced $300 million in emergency food assistance during a Security Council session, bringing total US aid to $1.2 billion since 2023. • Conflict between Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces has displaced 8.5 million, making it the world's largest humanitarian crisis, per UN estimates.

• Second-seeded Purdue defeated 11th-seeded Texas 79-77 in the West Region semifinal on March 26 in San Jose, California. • Trey Kaufman-Renn's tip-in of Braden Smith's miss with 0.07 seconds left secured the win for the Boilermakers. • Purdue advances to face top-seeded Arizona in the West Region final on March 28 for a Final Four spot in Indianapolis.

Police and animal rights activists say trail hunting is frequently used as a ‘smokescreen’ for illegal foxhuntingThe government has said it will ban trail hunting, the rural sport that police and animal rights activists have long accused of being a “smokescreen” for illegal foxhunting.“We pledged to ban trail hunting in our manifesto and that is exactly what we intend to do,” said Sue Hayman, the animal welfare minister. “The nature of trail hunting makes it difficult to ensure wild and domestic animals are not put at risk of being killed or injured – that is clearly unacceptable.” Continue reading...

Sarah Mullally is formally installed as the Church of England’s spiritual head in grand ceremony The new archbishop of Canterbury highlighted the pain caused to victims and survivors of abuse by the Church of England in her first sermon, delivered at a grand ceremony marking her formal installation as its spiritual head.Sarah Mullally, a former nurse who has made history as the C of E’s first female archbishop, said “we must not overlook or minimise the pain experienced by those who have been harmed through the actions, inactions and failures of those in our own Christian churches and communities. Continue reading...

Cornell Big Red narrowly defeated Yale Bulldogs in the Ivy League Tournament semifinal on March 14, aired on ESPNU from Ithaca, N.Y. The close contest advances Cornell toward the championship game and a potential NCAA bid. Yale fought valiantly but fell short in the tight matchup. The winner gains crucial momentum heading into Selection Sunday.

Cornell beat Yale 69-66 in the Ivy League Tournament semifinals on Saturday in Ithaca, New York, with sophomore guard Isaiah Gray hitting the game-winning three-pointer with 4.2 seconds left. The Big Red rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit, forcing 15 Bulldog turnovers. This win sends Cornell to the Ivy final against Princeton or Harvard on Sunday, positioning them for their first NCAA bid since 2010. Coach Brian Earl praised Gray's poise: 'He’s our clutch performer.'