First Thing: US to put forth UN resolution calling for immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Secretary of state Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv as other world leaders set aside differences to call for end to fighting in Gaza. Plus: the report on flying saucers that sent the world of ‘ufology’ into a tailspin

Good morning.

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, arrived in Tel Aviv on Friday to meet the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his war cabinet, a key meeting that comes as the US prepares to put forth a new UN security council resolution calling for an “immediate ceasefire” and hostage deal in Gaza.

At a Brussels summit late Thursday, the EU joined demands for a ceasefire with a declaration calling for an “immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire”, marking the first time European leaders had agreed on a declaration on the Middle East since October.

Australian and UK foreign and defence ministers on Friday also stressed the “urgency of an immediate cessation of fighting in Gaza to allow aid to flow and hostages to be released”, in a statement after talks in Adelaide.

What does the UN resolution say? Blinken characterized the UN resolution drafted by the US as calling for “an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages”.

How does the EU declaration differ? It calls for the “unconditional release of all hostages” by Hamas, but does not make its demand for a halt to Israeli military operations dependent on a deal.

What is the situation in Gaza? Mass deaths from famine are likely in the coming weeks if nothing changes. Children are already dying from hunger.

Trump told Pence certifying election would be ‘political career killer’, valet says

According to newly released testimony from a presidential valet, when Donald Trump was president he told his vice-president, Mike Pence, that refusing to block certification of Joe Biden’s 2021 election victory at the Capitol on 6 January 2021 would be “a political career killer”.

The unnamed valet also said Trump appeared unconcerned when he was told a civilian had been shot dead as the Capitol was stormed.

In other news …

Reddit’s shares soared on the social media platform’s first day of trading in New York, signalling that investor appetite for initial public offerings of internet firms with promising upside – even if they are currently loss-making – could be returning.

The family of an autistic teen killed by police in California have remembered their loved one as “a talented, goofy kid”.

Russian forces struck Ukraine’s largest dam in the biggest recent attack on the country’s energy infrastructure.

The EU is set to impose a tariff of up to 50% on Russian grain imports, amid fears the Kremlin could flood the bloc with cheap wheat to destabilise the market.

Stat of the day: the US will need the equivalent of about 34 new nuclear plants over the next five years

Demand for power is soaring in the US, with new industries such as cryptocurrency and cannabis boosting industry forecasts and straining efforts to cut emissions. Cryptocurrency is estimated to use up to 2.3% of the nation’s electricity, while cannabis farming is estimated to use up to 1%.

Don’t miss this: the fresh atrocities coming out of Darfur

Almost a year since conflict reignited in Sudan, refugees are fleeing Darfur, a vast region in the western part of the country, with harrowing accounts of ethnic cleansing and violence. Their testimonies crystallize concerns that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), along with other allied Arab militia, remain intent on completing the genocide against the Masalit community, a darker-skinned African tribe, which began 20 years ago.

… or this: the Pentagon’s former top UFO hunter on how true believers made his life hell

When Sean Kirkpatrick took over the Pentagon’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office in 2022 – better known colloquially as the UFO hunting office – he soon began receiving violent threats and social media smear campaigns. He even had to call the FBI after a UFO fanatic tried to break into his home.

Now a report he worked on in his 18 months on the job is sending the world of “ufology” into a tailspin.

Climate check: 16 US states suing federal government over liquefied natural gas

Sixteen US states – including Texas, Florida and Louisiana – are suing the US to challenge the federal government’s ban on approving applications to export liquefied natural gas (LNG). Joe Biden said in January that the pause on approving applications would allow officials to review its process for analyzing economic and environmental impacts of projects seeking approval to export LNG to Europe and Asia, where the fuel is in high demand. The lawsuit argues the federal government lacks the authority to broadly deny those permits.

Last Thing: Steve! (Martin)

The comedy legend talks about success and status ahead of the release of the documentary, Steve! (Martin), which follows a life and career spent in an ironic embrace of showbiz. At the height of his 70s fame, he carried with him a set of cards on which was printed: “This certifies that you have had a personal encounter with me and that you found me warm, polite, intelligent and funny. Steve Martin.”

Mentioning it brings a smile to his face. “This was back when you’d be asked for autographs,” he tells Ryan Gilbey. “The card had a signature printed on it. I’d give them out, but people would just be puzzled. Then they’d ask me to sign it, so it didn’t really work.”

Today it’s all selfies. “I prefer that, because the autograph thing was always: ‘Oh, let me find a pen,’ and then you’re signing a shoe receipt.” Is he more comfortable now with fan interactions? “Not really. There is no interaction, because it’s all about me.” Pause. “Not that I would ask about them,” he says, with a perfect flicker of disgust.

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