Wang Yi tells Antony Blinken ‘disruptions’ could arise amid threat of sanctions over China’s support for Russia’s defence industry China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, has warned the US that the recent improvements in the two countries’ relations were being jeopardised by “disruptions” that could take them back to a “downward spiral” leading to rivalry, confrontation and even conflict. Wang was speaking at the start of a meeting in Beijing with the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, at a time of renewed tension in the relations between the superpowers. The US, he said, should not step on Chi ..read more

Israeli media reports planned visit, citing unnamed officials, in the wake of stalled talks mediated by Qatar, the US and Egypt See all of our Israel-Gaza war coverage Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Rafah for Al Jazeera, writes that he is seeing “constant artillery shelling on the eastern part of the city”, and there is “a concentration of attacks on Gaza’s central area, mainly refugee camps, such as Nuseirat and Bureij camps, as well as on Deir el-Balah city.” Peter Beaumont has this analysis for the Guardian from Jerusalam ..read more

The sweeping foreign aid package passed by congress has drawn the ire of China, but billions of dollars will actually stay in the US Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen has praised the US Congress for passing a sweeping foreign aid package this week which included arms support for the island, and has drawn the ire of China. After months of delays and contentious debate, the bill was signed into law by Joe Biden on Wednesday. Described as $95bn in aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, the legislation actually contains provisions that broadly affect many parts of the Asia-Pacific, while also spending ..read more

About 1,000 US troops will support the military construction efforts, but Joe Biden has ordered them not to set foot on the Gaza shore US troops have begun construction of a maritime pier off the coast of Gaza that aims to speed the flow of humanitarian aid into the territory, the Pentagon has said, but the complex plan to bring more desperately needed food to Palestinian civilians is still mired in fears over security and how the aid will be delivered. “I can confirm that US military vessels, to include the USNS Benavidez, have begun to construct the initial stages of the temporary pier and c ..read more

The former US president often describes himself as the ‘best friend that Israel has ever had’, but he may not be so reliable At a windy rally in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, earlier this month, Donald Trump began his hour-long address by sending prayers and support to Israel as it withstood Iran’s aerial assault. “They’re under attack right now,” the former president and presumptive Republican nominee said. “That’s because we show great weakness ..read more

Israel says the graves were dug by people in Gaza a few months ago but the corpses had been examined by IDF soldiers Here are some of the scenes in Jerusalem, where people, including Israeli interior security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have been worshipping during the Passover holiday. Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Rafah for Al Jazeera, states that two people have been killed there by drone strikes. He writes for the news network: A surge in attack drones flying over Rafah has taken place over the past couple of hours. At least two people have been hit in what appear to be targeted killings – on ..read more

Local and state police clash with demonstrators in state capital of Austin while rightwing governor says protesters ‘belong in jail’ At least 20 people were arrested, including a photojournalist, as police and demonstrators violently clashed at the University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday. Hundreds of students walked out of class to protest against the conflict in Gaza and demand the university divest from companies that manufacture machinery used in Israel’s war efforts, carrying signs and chanting ..read more

President says legislation is ‘going to make the world safer’ after months of congressional gridlock threatened support for Kyiv Joe Biden said on Wednesday he signed into law legislation that rushes $95bn in foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, a bipartisan legislative victory he hailed as a “good day for world peace” after months of congressional gridlock threatened Washington’s support for Kyiv in its fight to repel Russia’s invasion. The Senate overwhelmingly passed the measure in a 79 to 18 vote late Tuesday night, after the package won similarly lopsided approval in the Republican ..read more

The $95bn package allots funds to Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine, which desperately needs munitions for its war with Russia Joe Biden praised congressional leaders and lawmakers for what he called an effort “to answer history’s call at this critical inflection point” after the US Senate voted resoundingly in a bipartisan majority on Tuesday to approve $95bn in aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The Senate passed the bill in a sweeping 79 to 18 vote, after similarly lopsided approval in the House last weekend. The president, who had pushed Congress for months to deliver the foreign aid measure, sa ..read more

The TikTok investor is also linked to funding challenges to progressive politicians and against Obama’s Iran nuclear deal Top Republican donor and TikTok investor Jeff Yass is connected to over $16m in funding to anti-Muslim and pro-Israel groups that have advocated for a US war with Iran and other militaristic policies in the Middle East, according to an investigation by the Guardian and Responsible Statecraft. Media reports on Yass, the billionaire co-founder of Susquehanna International Group, a trading and technology firm, have focused on his outsized role in the Republican party, to which ..read more