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For 18 months, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) surrounded Sudan’s city of el-Fasher, blocking food and escape paths. After the city fell in October, many civilians were killed trying to leave, with reports of shootings on exit roads and bodies left behind. Human rights groups say the RSF’s actions in the region may be a planned attack against certain ethnic groups.
Key Facts
The RSF, a paramilitary group, besieged el-Fasher in western Sudan for 18 months.
The siege cut off food supplies and escape routes for civilians.
In October, when the city was taken over, thousands of civilians died trying to flee.
Witnesses report shootings of civilians on roads out of the city.
Rights organizations warn this may be ethnic cleansing, meaning a campaign to remove or kill people based on their ethnicity.
Satellite photos show a barrier built around el-Fasher, further trapping people inside.
Investigations used survivor accounts and images to document killings, disappearances, and abuses.
Groups like Fault Lines, Lighthouse Reports, and the Sudan War Monitor conducted the investigation.
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Scientists have issued a warning about the possibility of record-high global temperatures soon. They link this to climate change and natural weather patterns like El Niño, which can cause severe weather around the Pacific Ocean and beyond.
Key Facts
Global temperatures could reach record highs in the near future.
Climate change is making heatwaves and extreme weather more common.
The El Niño weather pattern influences temperature and weather worldwide.
Australia and Peru are among the countries affected by these temperature changes.
Scientists monitor oceans and weather patterns to predict heat trends.
Rising temperatures have impacts on ecosystems, agriculture, and human health.
Severe weather events may increase as global temperatures climb.
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The new Syrian government is trying to bring justice for people hurt during Bashar al-Assad's rule, including many who were tortured or killed. A trial is happening in Damascus against Assad and his brother, but they are not in the country and are being tried without being present.
Key Facts
The Syrian government is working to address crimes from Bashar al-Assad’s time as leader.
Tens of thousands were tortured and hundreds of thousands killed during Assad’s regime.
A trial is taking place in Damascus for Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher.
Assad and his brother are not in Syria and are being tried in their absence.
Habib Nassar, a lawyer focused on transitional justice, says more long-term reforms are needed.
Transitional justice means changes that help countries heal and rebuild after conflicts or abuses.
The article is part of a series about ongoing issues in the Middle East.
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Representatives from Israel and Lebanon are meeting in Washington, D.C., to restart peace talks. They are discussing issues related to the Hezbollah militant group, which is connected to Iran.
Key Facts
Israel and Lebanon have resumed peace talks in Washington, D.C.
The meeting focuses on the Hezbollah militant group.
Hezbollah is linked to Iran.
The talks aim to address security and peace concerns between the two countries.
This is a return to dialogue after previous tensions in the region.
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Russia launched a large and nearly nonstop strike on Kyiv and other cities in Ukraine, using more than 1,500 drones and over 50 missiles in two days. At least seven people died, and many buildings were damaged or destroyed during the attacks, which Ukraine calls a deliberate tactic to overwhelm its air defenses.
Key Facts
Russian forces attacked Kyiv with a “massive and virtually nonstop” aerial assault lasting almost 48 hours.
Over 1,500 drones and more than 50 missiles were fired at Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
At least seven people were killed in Kyiv, and 20 people are still missing after the attacks.
Ukraine intercepted 94% of the drones but only 73% of the missiles.
Buildings hit included a residential apartment, a school, and a veterinary clinic.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy suggested the attack was timed to coincide with President Trump’s visit to China.
Russia also attacked cities including Odesa, Rivne, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Kharkiv.
Russian President Putin said the war might be nearing an end, but Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy disagrees and called for Russia to agree to a real ceasefire.
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The Triangle tower in central Paris has reached its full height, becoming the first skyscraper built in central Paris since 1973. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron with Valode & Pistre, this 180-meter tall building aims to blend environmental design, public access, and respect for the Paris skyline.
Key Facts
The Triangle tower is 180 meters (590 feet) tall with 42 floors.
It is the first skyscraper in central Paris since the Tour Montparnasse completed in 1973.
Construction began in 2022 after years of legal and political challenges.
The design uses a triangular shape to preserve open sky views and limit shadows on nearby buildings.
The building integrates environmental features like natural light, sunlight filtering, and ventilation to improve energy efficiency.
It is located at Place de la Porte de Versailles, near major public transport options including metro, trams, buses, and bike parking.
The tower includes public spaces such as a daycare center, health center, cultural areas, restaurants, cafés, and shops.
The building provides outdoor terraces and loggias for views and fresh air, promoting openness and public access.
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China’s leader, Xi Jinping, has clear goals regarding Taiwan. These goals have become an important topic during President Trump’s meeting in China. Experts like Eyck Freymann from Stanford University provide detailed explanations about China’s plans for Taiwan.
Key Facts
Xi Jinping is the leader of China.
China has specific ambitions or goals for Taiwan.
These ambitions are a main topic during President Trump’s visit to China.
Eyck Freymann, a Hoover Fellow at Stanford University, offers expert insight on the issue.
Taiwan is a self-governed island that China considers part of its territory.
Discussions are happening during a summit, which is a formal meeting between leaders.
The situation between China and Taiwan is important for global politics and security.
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Adam Boulton, former Sky News political editor, said GB News should lose its broadcasting licence because it often breaks rules about impartial news. The media regulator Ofcom is investigating GB News but says it balances free speech with enforcing rules. GB News says it follows the rules and offers various viewpoints on air.
Key Facts
Adam Boulton worked 25 years as Sky News political editor and criticized GB News for biased coverage.
Boulton believes Ofcom failed to properly regulate GB News and should have prevented it becoming a news broadcaster.
Ofcom is investigating a GB News program that repeated an interview with President Donald Trump.
GB News includes presenters linked to the political party Reform UK, including Nigel Farage who has shares in the parent company.
Broadcasting rules require "due impartiality," which means offering a range of views but not total neutrality.
Ofcom says it applies rules fairly and protects freedom of expression, with licence revocation reserved for serious cases.
GB News has gained a steady audience, sometimes surpassing Sky News and BBC News channel viewers, but overall viewership is still small.
Boulton also called for banning politicians who act as TV presenters, also known as "presenticians."
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A large collection of iron age objects called the Melsonby hoard, found in northern England, is now on display in York. These items, linked to the Brigantes tribe, include weapons, a cauldron, and a rare iron mirror that suggests stories of powerful women in that era. The hoard could change how we understand life in Britain 2,000 years ago.
Key Facts
The Melsonby hoard is the largest iron age metalwork collection found in the UK, with over 800 items.
The objects belong to the Brigantes tribe, who ruled much of northern England around 2,000 years ago.
Items include parts of chariots, weapons, a large cauldron, and a rare iron mirror.
The objects were deliberately broken and burned before burial, though the exact reason is unknown.
Iron age mirrors are linked only to powerful women and were never found with men or children.
The mirror on display may have belonged to the mother or grandmother of Queen Cartimandua, the tribe’s famous leader.
About 20% of the hoard is currently displayed; more items will be shown later.
The collection challenges the idea that northern Britain was less developed or connected than the south during the iron age.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping told President Trump that the big question for China and the U.S. is whether they can avoid the "Thucydides Trap." This idea refers to rising powers causing conflict with established powers. Xi hopes both countries can find a new way to handle their relationship without fighting.
Key Facts
The "Thucydides Trap" is a term describing the danger of war when a rising country challenges a ruling country.
President Xi brought up this idea during a meeting in Beijing with President Donald Trump.
China is considered a rising major power, while the U.S. is the current dominant power.
The two leaders discussed whether their countries can avoid conflict as China grows stronger.
Xi called for creating a new approach or "paradigm" for China-U.S. relations.
The concept comes from ancient history when Athens’ rise led to war with Sparta.
The conversation happened before a high-level meeting between the two presidents.
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Investigations revealed that Israeli-linked AI and technology were used in military attacks and surveillance in Gaza and Lebanon. Experts say this shows a new form of power where technology and data control replace traditional colonialism and military force, affecting global politics and inequalities.
Key Facts
AI systems like Lavender and Gospel helped create military targets in Gaza in 2024.
Israeli intelligence allegedly used common devices like pagers and walkie-talkies as weapons in Lebanon.
Major US tech companies’ cloud and data services were linked to Israeli surveillance of Palestinians.
Scholars argue that modern power is exercised through technology, finance, and information control.
The idea of decolonisation is evolving, with old colonial structures now embedded in technology and global markets.
Many countries in the Global South depend on Western technology, creating new vulnerabilities.
AI systems trained mainly on Western data may reinforce existing global inequalities and suppress diverse identities.
Social media algorithms influence which conflicts gain attention, shaping global perspectives.
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The mother of Valdo Calocane, who killed three people and tried to kill others in Nottingham in 2023, told a public inquiry that the mental health system failed her son. She said she had to manage his care alone and felt the system did not explain the risks or provide needed support.
Key Facts
Valdo Calocane was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2020.
He killed Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates, and injured three others in attacks on June 13, 2023.
Valdo was sectioned (detained for mental health treatment) four times between May 2020 and January 2022.
His mother, Celeste Calocane, raised concerns about his risk to the public three years before the attacks.
She says no one explained the risks or guided her on what to watch for during his illness.
The family is originally from Guinea-Bissau and later lived in Portugal before moving to the UK.
Valdo was living and studying in Nottingham when he first experienced psychosis in 2020.
Celeste only received full access to Valdo’s medical records after his sentencing in 2024.
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A retired Canadian police officer, William Majcher, was found not guilty of spying charges related to China after prosecutors could not prove he acted illegally. The judge said the evidence was weak and based on suspicion rather than clear proof.
Key Facts
William Majcher worked in Canada’s financial crime unit before retiring.
He was charged in 2023 with breaking Canada’s Security of Information Act.
The charges involved helping Chinese police pressure a real estate investor in Vancouver to return to China.
A British Columbia judge acquitted Majcher, saying prosecutors failed to prove their case.
The judge described the evidence as circumstantial, meaning it relied on guesswork, not facts.
Majcher now lives in Hong Kong and works in financial and cybersecurity investigations.
The case raised concerns about Chinese interference in Canada and secret police stations in the country.
Majcher’s lawyer said fears of foreign interference may have influenced the investigation and used many public resources.
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President Donald Trump visited Beijing for a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. During the visit, Trump showed respect for Chinese traditions and praised Xi, while Xi warned about potential conflicts between the US and China over Taiwan. Trump remained calm and polite during the talks and a state banquet.
Key Facts
President Trump arrived in Beijing and took part in a formal welcoming ceremony with military music and a 21-gun salute.
Trump praised China as "beautiful" and called Xi Jinping a "great leader" during their meeting.
Xi warned that poor handling of Taiwan issues could lead to conflict between the US and China.
Trump did not respond to reporters’ questions about Taiwan during the visit.
Trump and Xi held talks for two hours around a large conference table.
At a state banquet, Trump politely drank wine when toasting Xi and invited him to visit the White House in September.
The visit included a carefully chosen menu designed to suit Trump’s tastes.
Trump’s behavior was more respectful and controlled in China than in some previous visits to democracies.
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A University of Melbourne professor, Abbas Rajabifard, denied any collaboration with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, after his name appeared on a research article co-authored with Ghalibaf without his knowledge. Rajabifard said he was unaware of being listed as a co-author and has had his name removed from the article.
Key Facts
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is the speaker of Iran’s parliament and leads peace talks with the US.
Ghalibaf appeared as a co-author on a research article with Prof Abbas Rajabifard of the University of Melbourne.
Rajabifard denied involvement in the article and said he did not consent to be listed as a co-author.
The article was published in March 2023 in an Iran-based academic journal.
Rajabifard’s name remained on the article and a UN database for over two years before removal.
Rajabifard visited the University of Tehran in 2016-2017 as part of an official university delegation and gave a seminar there.
Australia’s foreign affairs minister asked universities to pause cooperation with Iranian academics due to human rights concerns.
There are currently no Australian sanctions against Ghalibaf, the University of Tehran, or the journal publisher.
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Vin Diesel honored his late co-star Paul Walker during a special 25th anniversary screening of "The Fast and the Furious" at the Cannes Film Festival. He appeared on the red carpet alongside Paul Walker’s daughter and paid an emotional tribute to him.
Key Facts
"The Fast and the Furious" celebrated its 25th anniversary at Cannes with a midnight showing.
Vin Diesel, the lead actor, attended the event and honored Paul Walker, who passed away.
Paul Walker’s daughter joined Vin Diesel on the red carpet for the tribute.
The festival also featured new films, including a thriller starring Gillian Anderson and a drama about a Circassian immigrant family.
Other notable directors at Cannes included Asghar Farhadi from Iran and Pawel Pawlikowski from Poland.
The article mentions star judges Park Chan-wook and Demi Moore for festival competitions.
Cannes remains a major event that highlights both classic films and new international cinema.
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A small plane made an emergency landing in the Atlantic Ocean. The pilot, Ian Nixon, successfully landed the plane, and everyone on board survived. The U.S. Air Force carried out a rescue operation to save the passengers.
Key Facts
The pilot of a small plane is named Ian Nixon.
The plane had to land suddenly in the Atlantic Ocean.
All the people on the plane survived the landing.
The U.S. Air Force helped rescue the passengers.
Ian Nixon described his first thought was relief that they survived.
The event was covered by CBS News.
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Rescue teams are working in Kyiv, Ukraine, after Russian airstrikes caused buildings to collapse. Many people are trapped under the rubble following the deadly attacks.
Key Facts
Russian forces launched airstrikes on Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.
The strikes caused buildings to fall, trapping people underneath.
Rescue efforts are ongoing to find and save survivors.
The attacks have lasted for two days.
Ukrainian emergency workers are actively responding to the crisis.
The situation remains dangerous and unstable in the affected areas.
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President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met and discussed Taiwan. Chinese state media reported strong warnings about Taiwan during their meeting.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The meeting included talks about Taiwan.
Chinese state media highlighted warnings related to Taiwan.
The warnings appeared tense and were a key part of the discussion.
CBS News reporters Anna Coren and Ramy Inocencio covered the meeting.
The information comes from summaries by Chinese state media.
This meeting is part of ongoing U.S.-China relations.
Taiwan is a sensitive topic between China and the United States.
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President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing to discuss important issues like Taiwan, trade, and technology. Xi warned that mishandling Taiwan could lead to conflicts, and both leaders face several challenges that could hurt U.S.-China relations.
Key Facts
Xi Jinping asked if China and the U.S. could avoid the "Thucydides Trap," a situation where a rising power causes conflict with an established one.
Taiwan is the most dangerous point in U.S.-China relations because it could lead to military clashes.
A full-scale war is unlikely due to nuclear weapons and deep trade ties worth over $500 billion.
Both countries are using trade, technology, and diplomacy as tools rather than military force.
The "Hobsonian Trap" refers to how domestic economic problems in each country push leaders to use tough trade policies to satisfy their own people.
China struggles with economic issues like a property downturn and weak consumer confidence.
The U.S., under President Trump, uses tariffs and investment controls to protect American industry and workers.
These domestic pressures risk leading to a cycle of retaliatory trade actions that could harm both economies.
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