Escalates

• The Trump administration will require all 50 states to explain their plans to revalidate Medicaid providers as part of a national escalation of anti-fraud efforts, announced by Dr. Mehmet Oz on Tuesday. • This marks a significant expansion from previous anti-fraud initiatives that have largely focused on specific states rather than a nationwide mandate. • The move aims to strengthen program integrity and reduce fraudulent claims across the Medicaid system.

Lebanese health ministry says killing of 91 healthcare workers shows ‘total disregard’ for international lawMiddle East crisis – live updatesWhen they received the call to respond to an Israeli airstrike in the city of Mayfadoun, in southern Lebanon, most of the paramedics held back, having previously seen colleagues killed by double-tap attacks targeting rescuers. But the medics from the Islamic Health Association (IHA) rushed to the scene.By the time the other emergency workers arrived at the site, they found the IHA medics had indeed been caught in a second strike. They started evacuating their wounded colleagues, only for their ambulances to be hit in two further attacks. Continue reading...

• Russia launched a major barrage of cruise and hypersonic missiles targeting Ukrainian power plants and industrial facilities on April 12, damaging critical energy infrastructure across multiple regions. • Ukrainian air defense systems intercepted approximately 60% of the incoming missiles, but strikes on Kharkiv and Dnipro left thousands without electricity and damaged a major steel production facility. • The escalation comes as Russian forces advance in eastern Ukraine, with military analysts warning the campaign aims to weaken Ukraine's ability to sustain military operations through summer.

• Tensions between Indonesia and the Philippines intensified on April 12 after Chinese vessels were detected near disputed maritime zones, prompting both Southeast Asian nations to deploy coast guard vessels to assert territorial claims. • The Philippines' coast guard reported being rammed by a Chinese maritime militia vessel, resulting in minor damage but heightening concerns over freedom of navigation in the strategically vital waterway. • US Indo-Pacific Command warned that escalating incidents risk regional conflict and called for adherence to international maritime law, with Secretary of State advocating for strengthened ASEAN unity in responding to Chinese expansion.

• NATO members approved a €4.2 billion additional military assistance package for Ukraine on April 10, including air defense systems, ammunition, and electronic warfare equipment to counter Russian offensives. • Russian forces intensified bombardment across the Donbas region this week, launching over 850 artillery strikes daily and deploying newly mobilized forces toward Pokrovsk, a key Ukrainian logistics hub 50 kilometers from the front. • NATO Secretary-General emphasized the aid reflects alliance commitment to Ukraine's defense, with additional commitments expected at the NATO summit scheduled for June 2026 in Madrid.

Warnings that US could attack civilian infrastructure draws questions whether it is legally plausible for UK to still claim self-defence• Donald Trump says ‘a whole civilisation will die’ if Iran ignores demandsIn Downing Street, Keir Starmer has been at pains to emphasise that he will only authorise the use of UK bases by the US for “defensive” strikes on Iranian military targets. In the White House, Donald Trump has threatened to bomb civilian infrastructure – and said on Monday that he was “not at all” worried about committing war crimes.So far in the war, Starmer’s position has allowed him to present the UK as a responsible actor concerned for regional security – but not a direct participant in the conflict on the US side. Continue reading...

• Russian forces launched a coordinated offensive across multiple sectors of the Ukraine-Russia border on Wednesday, deploying additional mechanized units and intensifying artillery bombardment in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. • Ukrainian military sources report significant casualties on both sides, with Russia concentrating forces near Pokrovsk and attempting to break through defensive lines established by Ukrainian forces. • The escalation comes amid ongoing Western military aid debates and signals Moscow's commitment to maintaining momentum despite previous setbacks and NATO reinforcements in Eastern Europe.