South Africa’s Political Standoff, Putin’s Ceasefire Game, EU Bribery Scandal, and Nuclear Tensions Rise

South Africa’s coalition government is on the brink of collapse over a budget deadlock—can they find a way forward? Meanwhile, Putin signals readiness for a ceasefire in Ukraine, but his demands raise doubts about peace prospects. In Europe, a corruption scandal tied to Huawei shakes the EU Parliament, while Poland’s call for US nukes adds fuel to rising global tensions. Plus, the latest on humanitarian crises, Syria’s Islamist-led transition, China’s quantum computing breakthrough, and more.