World

A global military planning meeting next week will discuss plans to clear sea mines and rescue trapped ships in the Strait of Hormuz, following a virtual summit of over 40 countries convened on Thursday by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. At the summit, Cooper condemned "Iranian recklessness" for "hitting global economic security" and cited over 25 Iranian attacks on vessels in the strait, with about 20,000 seafarers stranded on 2,000 trapped ships.

Activists and lawyers across Africa are issuing urgent calls for action to safeguard women, girls, and boys as digital violence escalates rapidly on the continent. Experts report that a massive increase in internet users, combined with a large population under 30, is fueling a rise in gendered online violence, providing perpetrators with new tools to control and silence women and girls, and influence boys. Ayesha Mago, global advocacy director at the Sexual Violence Research Initiative, warned that the online world is exacerbating inequalities, creating a foundation for a very unequal future.

U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly mocked French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, during a private lunch in Washington on Wednesday, imitating a French accent and claiming Brigitte treats her husband "extremely badly." Trump also criticized NATO allies for not joining the war against Iran, in comments that briefly appeared on the White House YouTube channel before being removed. This incident highlights ongoing tensions within the Western alliance under the U.S. regime's leadership.

A "system malfunction" has caused multiple self-driving robotaxis operated by Chinese internet giant Baidu to stall in the middle of roads in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, leaving distressed passengers stranded for hours, according to police confirmation. Local authorities reported receiving calls "one after another" on Tuesday night from riders whose autonomous vehicles, part of Baidu's "Apollo Go" driverless taxi service, had frozen and become immobile.

A violent armed attack in Haiti's Artibonite department, the country's primary agricultural region, has left at least 70 people dead and 30 injured, according to a human rights group—a figure significantly higher than official estimates. Local police initially reported 16 fatalities and 10 injuries, while preliminary data from civil protection authorities indicated 17 deaths and 19 wounded.

French media outlets report that European Parliament member Rima Hassan has been detained in France on suspicion of "apology for terrorism," in a move that members of her left-wing La France Insoumise (LFI) party claim aims to silence Palestine supporters. The detention highlights the escalating tensions in France over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the alleged use of legal measures against political dissent.

Shelling, landmines, and gunfire in Yemen have resulted in the deaths or injuries of nearly 1,200 children since a United Nations-led ceasefire was brokered on April 2, 2022, largely reducing hostilities. According to an analysis by the UK-based humanitarian organization Save the Children, at least 339 children have been killed and 843 injured during this period, with some suffering life-altering wounds.

US President Donald Trump threatened to bring Iran 'back to the Stone Age' in a televised address, asserting that American forces would continue heavy strikes. His speech triggered a sharp rise in global oil prices, while Iran vowed a 'crushing' response. This development occurs amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing disruptions to worldwide energy markets.

A Moscow court has handed down a severe sentence to German sculptor Jacques Tilly, known for his satirical carnival floats at Düsseldorf's famous Rosenmontag parade. He was found guilty in absentia of "offending religious feelings and spreading false information about the Russian armed forces" for floats mocking President Vladimir Putin and Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Judge Konstantin Ochirov sentenced him to eight years and six months in prison, a fine of approximately $2,300, and a four-year professional ban.

US President Donald Trump, in a press conference regarding the ongoing war with Iran, claimed that Washington's 'core strategic objectives' are purportedly nearing completion. He also urged other countries to show 'courage' and 'take care' of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's statements triggered significant market volatility globally.

▪️ Reports indicate that United States President Donald Trump is allegedly considering deploying US special forces to Iran in a bid to seize the country's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, a move that military experts describe as a highly complex and risky operation. This consideration comes amidst ongoing conflict and follows previous US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which the Washington regime purportedly justified as necessary to prevent nuclear weapon development.

Increasing income inequality and public displays of billionaire power are fueling calls for new income and wealth taxes targeting the world's wealthiest individuals. These proposals, primarily advanced in major economies like the US, purportedly aim to reduce the tax burden on a stagnating middle class or address social inequality. For instance, former US presidential candidate Mitt Romney emphasized in a 2025 essay that wealthier Americans need to contribute more, highlighting issues with capital gains loopholes.