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Clarence Carter, an American soul singer known for hits like "Patches" and "Slip Away," has died at age 90 due to pneumonia complications. Blind from birth, Carter had a successful music career from the 1960s through the 1990s, and his songs remain influential in soul and popular music.
Key Facts
Clarence Carter was born in 1936 in Montgomery, Alabama, and was blind from birth.
He began his career in a duo and went solo after his partner was injured.
His hit "Slip Away" reached No. 2 on R&B charts and No. 6 on US pop charts in 1968.
"Patches" became a major hit in 1970, reaching No. 4 in the US and No. 2 in the UK.
Carter won a Grammy nomination for best R&B vocal performance and helped other artists like Candi Staton start their careers.
His 1988 song "Strokin’" saw a brief comeback and was featured in the film "Killer Joe."
He passed away after pneumonia complications at age 90, as confirmed by his management.
Carter’s music blended personal stories and social themes and is still remembered today.
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President Trump said that Chinese President Xi Jinping promised not to send military equipment to Iran during their recent meeting. Trump shared this information in an interview with Fox News.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke about the matter on Thursday.
He met with Chinese President Xi Jinping for a bilateral meeting.
During the meeting, Xi Jinping reportedly committed to not providing military equipment to Iran.
Trump described this commitment as a "big statement."
Trump made these remarks during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity.
The commitment concerns military equipment, meaning weapons or related supplies.
This announcement highlights ongoing discussions about China's role in international military support.
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Cuba faces severe power outages due to running out of fuel, causing widespread blackouts and rare protests in Havana. The Cuban government blames U.S. sanctions for the crisis, while the U.S. has offered aid if Cuba agrees to political reforms.
Key Facts
Cuba’s fuel reserves are depleted, leading to large-scale electricity blackouts across the island.
The government said it has no fuel, oil, or diesel and is relying on limited domestic production and solar energy.
Protests have occurred in Havana neighborhoods, with residents expressing frustration over the ongoing power cuts.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel blamed the U.S. sanctions, which he called an “energy blockade,” for worsening the crisis.
The power system depends on old thermoelectric plants that often break down, worsening the outages.
The United States tightened fuel shipment restrictions to Cuba in January 2024, worsening the fuel shortages.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered $100 million in aid, but only if it is distributed through the Catholic Church, not the Cuban government.
President Donald Trump has applied increased pressure on Cuba to bring political change and supports the aid offer tied to reforms.
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Iran’s economy is in severe trouble because of war, high prices, and an internet shutdown. Small businesses have lost customers and jobs, and many people cannot afford basic needs. The situation has worsened since the US and Israel attacked Iran in April 2026.
Key Facts
Prices of some goods in Iran have tripled or quadrupled in a few months.
Over 2 million people have lost their jobs or income recently.
Iran’s currency lost 60% of its value amid the crisis.
The Iranian government shut down the international internet for more than 75 days.
The US and Israel began attacks on Iran on February 28, 2026, leading to war and a blockade.
Small businesses relying on online sales have seen their income drop to nearly zero.
Many factories and producers are closing because there are no orders.
Iranians say they are struggling to buy food and basic needs as economic conditions worsen.
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President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing for a high-profile summit where both leaders expressed friendly words and agreed on some issues. However, tensions remain, especially over Taiwan and differing views on Iran’s war, with China warning about serious consequences if Taiwan is handled wrong.
Key Facts
President Trump was welcomed with a formal military ceremony and praised President Xi as a great leader.
China warned that mishandling Taiwan could lead to conflict; China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province.
The U.S. supports keeping the current situation unchanged and does not recognize Taiwan as an independent state.
The U.S. wants China to use its influence to help end the Iran war and keep the Strait of Hormuz open for oil shipping.
China’s official statement did not mention Iran’s nuclear program or the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting China wants to avoid deep involvement.
The White House highlighted agreements on economic cooperation, greater opportunities for U.S. businesses in China, and continued efforts to stop fentanyl trafficking.
Discussions included forming boards to manage trade and investment, especially in areas not related to sensitive technology.
The two countries plan to talk about artificial intelligence cooperation, reflecting their roles as leading countries in this technology.
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Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the foreign ministry said they will sue The New York Times. They claim the newspaper defamed Israel after publishing a column alleging Israeli prison guards sexually abuse Palestinian prisoners.
Key Facts
Israeli officials plan to take legal action against The New York Times.
The lawsuit is based on an article about sexual abuse of Palestinian prisoners by Israeli guards.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the announcement.
The Israeli foreign ministry supports the decision to sue.
The New York Times published the article in a column format.
The case involves claims of defamation, which means harming someone’s reputation by false statements.
The situation concerns treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
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Warsaw, Poland, registered its first same-sex marriage based on court decisions requiring the country to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other European Union (EU) countries. Poland's highest courts and the EU court have ordered authorities to accept these marriages even though Polish law does not currently allow same-sex marriage.
Key Facts
Warsaw officially recorded its first same-sex marriage on Thursday following court rulings.
The European Union's top court ordered Poland to recognize same-sex marriages made in other EU countries.
Poland's Supreme Administrative Court instructed officials to recognize a same-sex marriage of two Polish men married in Germany.
Warsaw's mayor said the city will recognize other same-sex marriages registered in the EU, even without specific court orders.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk pledged to implement these rulings quickly and apologized to same-sex couples for past rejection.
Poland does not currently allow same-sex marriages or civil partnerships by domestic law.
The government promised to legalize civil unions, but conservative opposition and the president's views have delayed this.
Recognizing foreign same-sex marriages does not force Poland to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide.
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Cuba’s energy minister announced that the country has completely run out of oil and diesel. The shortage is linked to ongoing U.S. sanctions that have blocked fuel supplies, putting Cuba’s energy system under serious stress.
Key Facts
Cuba no longer has any oil or diesel fuel available.
The energy shortage is due to U.S. sanctions that limit fuel imports.
The Cuban energy system is close to collapsing because of the fuel lack.
Vicente de la O Levy is the Cuban energy minister who made the announcement.
The information was shared through Cuban state media.
U.S. sanctions aim to pressure Cuba by restricting access to fuel.
Fuel is essential for transportation, electricity, and many industries in Cuba.
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A person is appealing to President Donald Trump to ask Chinese leader Xi Jinping to help bring their sister back to them. They describe their sister as taken away unfairly and want President Trump to use his influence in this situation.
Key Facts
The speaker is requesting help from President Donald Trump.
They want President Trump to speak directly with China's leader, Xi Jinping.
The goal is to have the sister returned to the family.
The sister is described as being taken by "the machinery of hate," implying a serious and harmful situation.
The appeal involves diplomatic action between the United States and China.
The speaker asks for strong leadership in handling this case.
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Yemen’s government and the Houthi group agreed to exchange more than 1,600 prisoners, the largest swap since the civil war began in 2014. This agreement, supported by the United Nations and facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, aims to reduce suffering and allow further talks on releasing more detainees.
Key Facts
The deal includes releasing 580 prisoners by the Houthis and 1,100 by the government.
Among those freed by the Houthis are seven Saudis and 20 Sudanese.
The agreement followed over three months of talks in Jordan and earlier discussions in Oman.
The release operation will be managed by the International Committee of the Red Cross as a neutral party.
In April 2023, nearly 900 prisoners were exchanged in a similar operation.
The conflict started in 2014 when the Houthis took control of Yemen’s capital, leading to a Saudi-led intervention.
The war has caused tens of thousands of deaths and destroyed much of Yemen’s infrastructure.
Both sides agreed to continue talks for additional prisoner releases and allow visits to detention centers.
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A tech executive and cannabis business owner named Tushar Atre was kidnapped and later murdered. Four men were charged, found guilty in separate trials, and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Key Facts
Tushar Atre was a technology executive and cannabis entrepreneur.
He was kidnapped, with the event caught on surveillance video.
Four men were charged with his murder.
Each man had a separate trial.
All four were found guilty.
They were sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole.
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Barcelona soccer player Lamine Yamal waved a Palestinian flag during his team's victory parade. This action led to mixed reactions, including criticism from Israeli officials. A mural of Yamal was then painted on buildings damaged by war in Gaza.
Key Facts
Lamine Yamal is a young player for the Barcelona soccer team.
He waved a Palestinian flag during Barcelona’s LaLiga title celebration.
The flag gesture caused different reactions from people and officials.
A small medical plane crashed near Ruidoso, New Mexico, on Thursday morning, killing all four people on board. The cause of the crash is still unknown, and authorities are investigating the incident.
Key Facts
The crash happened outside Ruidoso, New Mexico.
All four people on the plane died.
The plane was a small medical aircraft.
It flew from Roswell Air Center to Sierra Blanca Regional Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
A fire near the crash site is about 5 acres in size.
The U.S. Forest Service and local agencies are working to control the fire.
The area has hot, dry weather and a high fire risk warning due to low humidity and strong winds.
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President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing for a two-day summit. Xi warned that mistakes on the Taiwan issue could lead to conflict between China and the US, while both leaders emphasized the importance of working together during a later banquet.
Key Facts
President Trump and President Xi held a closed-door meeting lasting over two hours in Beijing.
Xi Jinping warned that missteps regarding Taiwan could cause conflict between the two countries.
After the meeting, the leaders attended a banquet where they spoke about cooperation.
The summit focused on major issues including trade, investment, and regional security.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry provided information about Xi’s warning during the private talks.
Taiwan responded by calling China the main risk to peace in the region.
The meeting took place on May 14, 2026, and was described as significant by both sides.
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing a challenge to his leadership from his own health secretary, Wes Streeting. Starmer warned of chaos if he is replaced, but his recent speeches have not stopped unrest within his Labour Party.
Key Facts
Keir Starmer is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Wes Streeting, currently the UK health secretary, resigned and is expected to challenge Starmer for party leadership.
Starmer began the week promising to prove his critics wrong.
Despite his efforts, some members of the Labour Party are unhappy and want a change in leadership.
The Labour Party is experiencing internal conflict ahead of upcoming elections.
This political struggle is happening in the context of broader European news, including other geopolitical events.
The article comes from a report by Delano D’Souza and France 24.
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President Donald Trump is focusing on improving trade and investment between the United States and China during his visit to Beijing. Discussions between the two countries also include issues like Taiwan, semiconductor technology, and energy security, but economic ties remain the top priority.
Key Facts
President Trump visited China for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The main focus of the visit is on trade and investment between the US and China.
Taiwan and semiconductor technology are important topics but less central than economic issues.
Experts describe the US-China relationship as cautious and carefully managed, avoiding major confrontations.
Both countries are engaged in a strategic contest involving diplomacy and security concerns.
China warns against US interference in Taiwan matters.
Both sides aim for a stable relationship while managing competition.
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Israel’s government announced it plans to sue The New York Times over an article by Nicholas Kristof that reported rape allegations by Palestinian detainees against Israeli forces. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office called the article false and defamatory, while The New York Times defended its reporting as carefully fact-checked and based on multiple sources.
Key Facts
The New York Times published an article reporting 14 Palestinian detainees’ claims of sexual abuse by Israeli forces.
Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar ordered a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times.
Israel called the article “the most hideous and distorted lies ever published” against the state.
The article’s author, Nicholas Kristof, said the piece was based on deep reporting and corroborated testimonies.
The New York Times said the story was fact-checked with witnesses, family members, lawyers, human-rights groups, and UN testimony.
It is unusual and legally complex for a foreign government to sue a U.S. media company because of U.S. free speech protections.
Netanyahu said the lawsuit is meant to fight what he called lies, both legally and publicly, and he is facing elections later this year.
The Times also faced criticism for publishing this piece as an opinion article while publishing other abuse allegations against Palestinians as news.
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Millions of unpaid carers in the UK are supporting an old and complicated social care system that relies heavily on women. Louise Casey, leading a government review, says this system is causing great stress and needs to be changed.
Key Facts
Around 5.8 million people in the UK provide unpaid care, with 1.7 million giving 50 or more hours per week.
Most unpaid carers (about 60%) are women.
The current social care system is seen as outdated, still operating like it did in 1948.
Carers often face emotional strain and must manage confusing rules from different agencies.
Many carers feel they must fight to get state support and spend more time dealing with systems than caring.
The economic value of unpaid care is estimated at about £184 million.
Louise Casey was asked by the government to review adult social care and suggest improvements.
The goal is to create a national care service that reduces the burden on unpaid carers.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping mentioned the "Thucydides trap" theory during a private meeting with President Donald Trump in China. This theory is about the risks when a rising power challenges an existing power, which might hint at how China expects the U.S. to behave.
Key Facts
The meeting took place in China between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump.
President Xi referred to the "Thucydides trap" theory during this private discussion.
The "Thucydides trap" is a political idea about conflict risks between a rising country and an established country.
The mention suggests China is thinking carefully about its relationship with the U.S.
The meeting was reported by CBS News and analyst Aaron MacLaean provided commentary.
This topic is important to understanding U.S.-China relations and possible future actions.
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Wes Streeting, a member of the UK Labour Party, resigned and in his letter expressed views similar to Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester. This suggests a possible agreement or alliance forming within the Labour Party between different groups, focused on uniting and opposing current party leadership.
Key Facts
Wes Streeting wrote a resignation letter that echoed the ideas of Andy Burnham.
Streeting is a centrist in the Labour Party, while Burnham represents the party’s soft left.
Burnham wants to join the UK Parliament but has not yet found a seat.
Streeting decided not to challenge Labour leader Keir Starmer directly.
Both Streeting and Burnham oppose factionalism and the rise of far-right racism.
Burnham has support from many in the party and the public.
There may be a future leadership election in Labour with Burnham as a strong candidate.
Burnham and Streeting have worked together before and show no personal conflict.
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