Hook News Brief | 21.05.25

UK to suspend new free trade negotiations with Israel

The UK government has said it will suspend new free trade negotiations with Israel due to its new ground offensive in Gaza. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK was also imposing additional sanctions on illegal Israeli settler outposts in the occupied West Bank.

This comes a day after the UK, France and Canada had condemned Israel’s handling of the war and threatened Israel with sanctions.

Ramping up the pressure, the European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc would be reviewing its trade cooperation deal with Israel as well.

UN says no aid has yet been distributed in Gaza

Staying with Gaza and the UN declared that no aid has yet been distributed in Gaza despite aid lorries reaching the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing after an 11-week blockade.

Israeli officials confirmed over 90 trucks had entered Gaza on Tuesday, carrying aid including flour, baby food, medical equipment, and pharmaceutical drugs.

EU lifts economic sanctions on Syria

The European Union has lifted economic sanctions on war-torn Syria following the US announcing the same last week.

“We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria,” EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in a post on X following meetings with ministers in Brussels.

Syria’s Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani thanked the EU on Tuesday, saying the decision would bolster Syria’s security and stability.

Trump unveils plans for “Golden Dome”

In the US, President Donald Trump unveiled the design selected for the $175 billion “Golden Dome” missile defense shield, the ambitious program aimed at blocking threats from China and Russia.

He added that US Space Force General Michael Guetlein would be the lead program manager.

The Golden Dome aims to create a network of satellites to detect, track and potentially intercept incoming missiles.

RR beat CSK; CSK may finish bottom of IPL table

In sports news, Rajasthan Royals beat Chennai Super Kings by 6 wickets powered by teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s formidable half century.

The loss means that Dhoni’s CSK will likely finish bottom of the IPL standings for the first time ever.

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