内容摘要：If confronted, Merz is unlikely to concede, having previously called on the US government to "stay out" of Berlin's domestic politics.

If confronted, Merz is unlikely to concede, having previously called on the US government to "stay out" of Berlin's domestic politics.

The UK's ambassador to the UN Barbara Woodward explained that she voted in favour of the draft resolution because Britain wants the "intolerable situation in Gaza needs to end" and that the country sees a ceasefire as the best way to "achieve a long-term political solution".She added that Israel needs to "end its restrictions" on aid now and "let the UN and humanitarians do their job to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity".

Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas' attacks on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed, and 251 others were taken hostage.At least 54, 000 people have been killed in Gaza since then, including 4,201 since Israel resumed its offensive on 18 March, according to the territory's health ministry.New German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is making a high-stakes trip to meet US President Donald Trump - his first time in Washington DC as the leader of the European Union's largest economy.

Tariffs, defence spending and the war in Ukraine will be high on the agenda when Merz meets Donald Trump on Thursday at the White House.There's also speculation that Trump's team - which repeatedly has weighed in on Germany's domestic politics - could subject him to an Oval Office "ambush".

It would not be the first time.

Both South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky found themselves in awkward, tense or even fiery exchanges as the world's cameras rolled, capturing every moment. Those moments have turned once cosy, diplomatic moments in the Oval Office into potentially fraught, tight-rope walks for visiting leaders.On Monday, Beijing said US violations of the agreement included stopping sales of computer chip design software to Chinese companies, warning against using chips made by Chinese tech giant Huawei, and cancelling visas for Chinese students.

The deal reached in Geneva came as a surprise to many analysts as it seemed that the two sides were incredibly far apart on many trade issues.This showed that during face-to-face talks Washington and Beijing can reach agreements.

But as the rhetoric is once again ratcheting up, the fragility of the current truce has been highlighted and gives an indication of just how challenging it may be to reach a longer-term trade deal.Although the fresh accusations may suggest that talks between Washington and Beijing are not going well,