The Palestinian Authority's list of wants in any U.S.-Israel-Saudi Arabia mega-deal includes Israel giving it more control over certain areas of the occupied West Bank and the reopening of the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem, according to six U.S. and Israeli sources familiar with the issue.
Why it matters: The PA provided the list of possible deliverables to Saudi Arabia earlier this year — a sign that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his aides have decided to take a pragmatic approach to the U.S.-led talks, which could see Israel-Saudi normalization, to avoid a clash with Riyadh and leverage their position to get as much as they can from any deal.
A wave of drone strikes targeted six Russian regions on Wednesday, even as Russia launched a barrage of missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital.
Why it matters: Russia has accused Ukraine of launching the attack, which appears to be the biggest drone assault on Russian soil since the start of its invasion in Feb. 2022, per AP.
The Kremlin said on Tuesday that it's investigating several possible causes of the plane crash that killed Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, including whether it was a "deliberate atrocity."
Why it matters: It's the first time the Russian government has outrightly acknowledged the crash could have been an assassination, Reuters notes. The Kremlin has denied any responsibility, but speculation continues to swirl over what — or who — is behind the crash that killed one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's biggest political foes.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo told reporters Wednesday morning that her biggest achievement in visiting China this week was opening opportunity for "regular communication."
Driving the news: Raimondo, speaking from Shanghai, noted that her trip was the first by a U.S. Commerce secretary in more than five years, and it made a "big step forward" in helping resolve issues raised by U.S. businesses.
Canada is advising travelers to the U.S. to be wary of state laws affecting LGBTQ+ people.
Driving the news: "Some states have enacted laws and policies that may affect 2SLGBTQI+ persons," the advisory states, adding that travelers should check relevant state and local laws.
Late-night hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and John Oliver are teaming up for a new podcast set to launch Wednesday.
The big picture: The show will cover "the Hollywood strikes and beyond," and proceeds from the podcasts will go to out-of-work staff from the hosts' respective shows, according to Spotify.
The Biden administration is increasing its efforts to try to de-escalate the growing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah and prevent a breakout of hostilities on the Israel-Lebanon border, according to Israeli and U.S. sources briefed on the issue.
Why it matters: Any small border incident between Israel and Hezbollah could quickly turn into a much bigger conflict in Lebanon that would likely have wider regional implications.
The period of economic and political opening that transformed China over the past 50 years is now over, a growing number of experts say. What the next 50 years will look like isn't yet clear.
Why it matters: Instead of reforming China to fit Western-led global institutions, Chinese leaders now aim to reshape the world in Beijing's image, forcing the U.S. and other countries to scramble to reassert influence.
Uruguay is tackling its staggering suicide rates by offering free antidepressants and establishing youth social and mental health centers as part of a national plan to promote wellbeing.
The big picture: The country's average suicide rate last year was more than double that in all of Latin America. There were 23 suicides per 100,000 people in 2022, up from 20 in 2019. The regional average last year was 9 per 100,000 people.
The Chinese Communist Party's relationships with dozens of African political parties are part of Beijing's sweeping push for influence on the continent, according to a new book.
Why it matters: By cultivating African elites, the CCP aims to legitimize its political model and compete with Western values abroad.
Gina Raimondo spent more than a decade in venture capital, before becoming Rhode Island's governor and then U.S. Commerce Secretary. This week she's in China, in part defending the Biden administration's ban on U.S. venture capital investment in certain Chinese tech sectors.
Why it matters: Raimondo must do a delicate dance in Beijing — maintaining hawkishness without clawing into a still-vital trade relationship.
The Spanish football federation's regional leaders asked their president Luis Rubiales to resign Monday with immediate effect for kissing a soccer player on the lips at the Women's World Cup.
Details: "After the latest events and the unacceptable behaviours that have seriously damaged the image of Spanish football, we request that Mr. Luis Rubiales immediately present his resignation as president of the Spanish football federation," per a statement from the heads of the regional bodies that comprise the federation, the RFEF.
Monday marks the 60th anniversary of thehistoricMarch on Washington, where nearly a quarter million people gathered to bring attention to voting rights and police brutality — issues the nation continues to grapple with today.
The big picture: The commemoration comes amid ongoing fears that the nation is regressing on racial equity and voting rights, even as the country becomes more diverse, Axios' Keldy Ortiz writes.
