Tracy Mumford

Damien Cave is the Times bureau chief in Vietnam.

Damien says that the aid cuts come as the U.S. had been trying to shore up partnerships in Asia to offset China's rising power there. And Vietnam, which borders China, has been a critical part of that effort.

Damien says that the aid cuts come as the U.S. had been trying to shore up partnerships in Asia to offset China's rising power there. And Vietnam, which borders China, has been a critical part of that effort.

Damien says that the aid cuts come as the U.S. had been trying to shore up partnerships in Asia to offset China's rising power there. And Vietnam, which borders China, has been a critical part of that effort.

In Israel, there's been a painful twist in the return of bodies of hostages from Gaza. Yesterday, as part of its ceasefire agreement, Hamas said it was handing over the remains of four people taken captive on October 7th. That included a mother, Shiri Bibas, and her two young children, who had become a symbol for many Israelis of the cruelty of the hostage crisis.

In Israel, there's been a painful twist in the return of bodies of hostages from Gaza. Yesterday, as part of its ceasefire agreement, Hamas said it was handing over the remains of four people taken captive on October 7th. That included a mother, Shiri Bibas, and her two young children, who had become a symbol for many Israelis of the cruelty of the hostage crisis.

In Israel, there's been a painful twist in the return of bodies of hostages from Gaza. Yesterday, as part of its ceasefire agreement, Hamas said it was handing over the remains of four people taken captive on October 7th. That included a mother, Shiri Bibas, and her two young children, who had become a symbol for many Israelis of the cruelty of the hostage crisis.

Four black coffins were transferred from Gaza into Israel. But overnight, the Israeli military announced that the body in Bibas' coffin was not her. After forensic tests, they said the body is unidentified and didn't match any other hostages. The shocking discovery, an apparent ruse by Hamas, could threaten the fragile ceasefire.

Four black coffins were transferred from Gaza into Israel. But overnight, the Israeli military announced that the body in Bibas' coffin was not her. After forensic tests, they said the body is unidentified and didn't match any other hostages. The shocking discovery, an apparent ruse by Hamas, could threaten the fragile ceasefire.

Four black coffins were transferred from Gaza into Israel. But overnight, the Israeli military announced that the body in Bibas' coffin was not her. After forensic tests, they said the body is unidentified and didn't match any other hostages. The shocking discovery, an apparent ruse by Hamas, could threaten the fragile ceasefire.

The Israeli military called it a, quote, "...violation of utmost severity." Meanwhile, a series of explosions in Israel has raised fears of an attempted coordinated terrorist attack. Last night, three buses blew up in parking lots outside Tel Aviv, and multiple unexploded bombs were discovered at other locations. No injuries were reported.

The Israeli military called it a, quote, "...violation of utmost severity." Meanwhile, a series of explosions in Israel has raised fears of an attempted coordinated terrorist attack. Last night, three buses blew up in parking lots outside Tel Aviv, and multiple unexploded bombs were discovered at other locations. No injuries were reported.

The Israeli military called it a, quote, "...violation of utmost severity." Meanwhile, a series of explosions in Israel has raised fears of an attempted coordinated terrorist attack. Last night, three buses blew up in parking lots outside Tel Aviv, and multiple unexploded bombs were discovered at other locations. No injuries were reported.

In response, all bus and train service in Israel was suspended, and Israel's prime minister immediately ordered the military to carry out what he called a massive operation against militants in the West Bank, where Israel has already been ramping up its raids in recent weeks.

In response, all bus and train service in Israel was suspended, and Israel's prime minister immediately ordered the military to carry out what he called a massive operation against militants in the West Bank, where Israel has already been ramping up its raids in recent weeks.

In response, all bus and train service in Israel was suspended, and Israel's prime minister immediately ordered the military to carry out what he called a massive operation against militants in the West Bank, where Israel has already been ramping up its raids in recent weeks.

On Thursday afternoon, the Senate confirmed a hardline Trump loyalist, Kash Patel, as the next director of the FBI. Patel rose to prominence, promising to carry out a revenge campaign against Trump's political enemies. He even wrote a kid's book about Trump called The Plot Against the King.

On Thursday afternoon, the Senate confirmed a hardline Trump loyalist, Kash Patel, as the next director of the FBI. Patel rose to prominence, promising to carry out a revenge campaign against Trump's political enemies. He even wrote a kid's book about Trump called The Plot Against the King.

On Thursday afternoon, the Senate confirmed a hardline Trump loyalist, Kash Patel, as the next director of the FBI. Patel rose to prominence, promising to carry out a revenge campaign against Trump's political enemies. He even wrote a kid's book about Trump called The Plot Against the King.

He's been a vocal critic of the FBI for years, spreading false information about its work and vowing to fire its top leaders. During his confirmation hearing, Patel downplayed his previous comments, but the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee accused Patel of already directing a purge of FBI officials before he's even been sworn in. Also on Capitol Hill yesterday.