Breakfast Digest

☕ Your daily global news, served fresh with your morning coffee!

By Ephraim Agbo

Good morning! As you take your first sip of coffee and slice into that warm toast, here’s what’s sizzling in global affairs today.

China Turns Up the Heat with Retaliatory Tariffs

Just like a bitter cup of black coffee, tensions between the U.S. and China are strong this morning. Beijing has responded to Washington’s latest 10% tariff on Chinese imports with its own countermeasures. Starting next Monday, U.S. crude oil, agricultural machinery, and big vehicles will face a 10% tax, while coal and LNG will get an even hotter 15% tariff. To spice things up, China has also launched an antitrust investigation into Google. Could negotiations be on the horizon, or will this trade war keep boiling over?

El Salvador Offers a Prison Deal on the U.S. Deportation Menu

A diplomatic surprise is on the table! El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has made an unusual offer: he’s willing to take in U.S. deportees—including criminals—regardless of nationality. Think of it as an unexpected side dish nobody ordered. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it a “rare act of friendship,” but whether Washington will accept remains to be seen. If approved, this deal could shift how deportation policies are served in the future.

Ceasefire Declared in Congo, but Conflict Still Simmering

A ceasefire has been announced in eastern Congo, but don’t put the kettle down just yet—the situation is still bubbling. A rebel alliance, including the Rwanda-backed M23, claims they have no plans to seize more territory, yet accusations of bombings and civilian deaths continue. Meanwhile, the G7 and EU have condemned the offensive, and international pressure on Rwanda to step back is heating up. For the people of Congo, the conflict has left a bitter aftertaste, with thousands still displaced.

Trump’s Ukraine Aid Proposal: Rare Earths on the Bargaining Plate

Picture this: You’re served a plate of aid, but there’s a price tag attached. That’s what President Trump is suggesting as he signals that future U.S. assistance to Ukraine could come in exchange for access to the country’s rare earth minerals. These valuable resources are crucial for making electric cars and smartphones, making this a high-stakes trade deal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insists that supporting Ukraine isn’t just about security—it’s also good business for the U.S. Will Washington take the deal, or send it back to the kitchen?

China Loosens Travel Restrictions for Some Uyghurs

For years, Uyghur families have been served nothing but separation and restrictions. But now, a modest thaw is appearing on the menu—China has returned some passports to Uyghur citizens, allowing limited international travel for the first time in years. While Human Rights Watch welcomes the move, it’s just a small spoonful of change in a much larger, complex situation. Rights groups are calling for a full-course correction in China’s Uyghur policies.

Scientists Cook Up a Way to Track Antarctic Krill from Space

A scientific breakthrough is stirring up the marine world! Researchers from the University of Strathclyde have figured out how to track tiny Antarctic krill from space by analyzing the color of seawater in satellite images. These shrimp-like creatures are a key ingredient in the Antarctic food chain, and with climate change threatening their survival, scientists hope this new method will help monitor their population before the ecosystem goes off balance.

Juliette Binoche Takes the Cannes Jury Chair

Ending on a sweet note—French cinema icon Juliette Binoche will be the president of this year’s Cannes Film Festival jury. Just like a fine French pastry, she brings elegance, depth, and award-winning experience. Binoche, who won an Oscar for The English Patient, will oversee the prestigious Palme d’Or selection. Expect a refined taste in cinema this year at Cannes!

That’s your WorldviewDigested – Breakfast Digest for today! Enjoy your meal, stay informed, and make it a great day!