作者: admin

  • Sudan’s army loses key city of el-Fasher to paramilitary RSF after 18-month siege

    Sudan’s army loses key city of el-Fasher to paramilitary RSF after 18-month siege

    In a significant development in Sudan’s ongoing conflict, the Sudanese military has withdrawn from its last stronghold in the western region of Darfur, el-Fasher, following the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claiming control of the city. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s military chief, announced the decision in a televised address, citing the need to protect civilians from “systematic destruction and killing.” He emphasized that the withdrawal was coordinated with local leaders to safeguard remaining residents and prevent further devastation. The United Nations has expressed grave concern over reports of atrocities committed by the RSF in el-Fasher, urging safe passage for trapped civilians. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis in the region. The 18-month siege of el-Fasher and North Darfur has resulted in widespread suffering, with malnutrition, disease, and violence claiming lives daily. The UN Human Rights Office has warned of escalating ethnically motivated atrocities and called on influential states to act. General Burhan criticized the international community’s inaction and vowed to reclaim the region. The fall of el-Fasher marks a pivotal moment in Sudan’s war, which has displaced nearly 12 million people and killed tens of thousands since April 2023. The RSF’s control over all five state capitals in Darfur solidifies its parallel administration in Nyala, South Darfur’s capital.

  • Man pleads guilty to killing Japan’s former PM Shinzo Abe

    Man pleads guilty to killing Japan’s former PM Shinzo Abe

    In a dramatic turn of events, Tetsuya Yamagami, the man accused of assassinating former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has pleaded guilty on the opening day of his trial. The 45-year-old defendant, facing additional charges for violating arms control laws, admitted to the court in Tokyo that “everything is true,” as reported by local media. Yamagami’s admission comes two years after he used a homemade firearm to shoot Abe during a political campaign event in Nara, a city in western Japan. Abe, renowned for his hawkish foreign policy and the economic strategy dubbed “Abenomics,” succumbed to his injuries later that day. Yamagami reportedly targeted Abe due to his alleged ties to the Unification Church, which he claimed had financially devastated his mother through substantial donations. The assassination has since exposed the controversial connections between Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the church, leading to the resignation of several ministers. Earlier this year, a Tokyo court ordered the disbandment of the Unification Church, revoking its tax-exempt status and mandating the liquidation of its assets.

  • Trump is signing rare earths deals ahead of talks with China’s Xi- will they help?

    Trump is signing rare earths deals ahead of talks with China’s Xi- will they help?

    During his recent Asia tour, US President Donald Trump signed a series of agreements with Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia to secure access to rare earth minerals, a sector long dominated by China. These deals, varying in scope and detail, aim to diversify the US supply chain for these critical materials, essential for advanced manufacturing in industries ranging from electric vehicles to smartphones. While the tangible impact of these agreements remains uncertain, they represent a strategic move to reduce reliance on China ahead of Trump’s high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

  • Dodgers outlast Blue Jays in World Series epic

    Dodgers outlast Blue Jays in World Series epic

    In a historic and marathon showdown, Freddie Freeman delivered a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 18th inning, propelling the Los Angeles Dodgers to a dramatic 6-5 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 3 of the World Series. This epic clash, lasting over six-and-a-half hours, tied the record for the longest postseason game in Major League Baseball history in terms of innings. The Dodgers now lead the best-of-seven series 2-1, with the next game set to take place at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday.

    Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani showcased his brilliance with two home runs, but it was Freeman, the 2024 World Series MVP, who stole the spotlight. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams exchanging leads and opportunities. Toronto initially surged ahead in the fourth inning, thanks to Alejandro Kirk’s three-run homer, but the Dodgers clawed back to tie the score at 4-4 in the fifth inning, fueled by Ohtani’s clutch hitting and Freeman’s RBI.

    The Blue Jays regained the lead in the seventh inning, but Ohtani’s second homer of the night leveled the score again at 5-5. From there, the game descended into a tense stalemate, with both teams stranding multiple baserunners and failing to capitalize on loaded bases. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who had earlier apologized for complaining about travel delays, finally savored a hard-fought home victory.

    The game also featured notable moments, including Ohtani being intentionally walked four times and veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw making a brief appearance in his final series before retirement. Ultimately, Freeman’s heroics in the 18th inning ended the marathon, leaving fans breathless and setting the stage for an intense Game 4.

  • India closes schools and evacuates thousands as Cyclone Montha approaches

    India closes schools and evacuates thousands as Cyclone Montha approaches

    Indian authorities have initiated large-scale evacuations and closed schools as Cyclone Montha approaches the eastern coastline. The severe cyclonic storm, currently swirling over the Bay of Bengal, is expected to make landfall near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh late Tuesday. With winds predicted to reach 90-110 kph (55-68 mph), the storm has prompted the issuance of red alerts—the highest weather warning level—for 19 districts in Andhra Pradesh. Neighboring states, including Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, and Karnataka, are also bracing for moderate to heavy rainfall. Disaster teams have evacuated 38,000 people from low-lying areas to relief camps, with an estimated 4 million residents in vulnerable zones. Andhra Pradesh has prepared 1,906 relief camps and 364 school shelters to accommodate evacuees from 1,238 at-risk villages. Schools and colleges remain closed until Wednesday, and fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea. Train and flight services have been partially disrupted. In Odisha, around 32,000 people have been relocated to relief camps. Climate scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of such storms to global warming, which fuels warmer oceans and more extreme weather patterns. India, one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases, is also among the most vulnerable regions to climate impacts. The 2023 cyclone season was particularly devastating, claiming 523 lives and causing $2.5 billion in damages. Tropical cyclones, known as hurricanes or typhoons in other regions, are among the most destructive natural disasters, especially in densely populated coastal areas. As global warming continues to escalate, the frequency and severity of such events are expected to rise, posing significant challenges for vulnerable regions like South Asia.

  • US, China edge toward fragile truce ahead of Trump-Xi meeting

    US, China edge toward fragile truce ahead of Trump-Xi meeting

    In a significant development aimed at de-escalating their protracted trade dispute, the United States and China have established a preliminary framework to prevent further tensions. This breakthrough comes as both nations prepare for a high-stakes meeting between their leaders, US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in South Korea. The agreement follows intensive negotiations between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Key concessions include China’s commitment to resume soybean purchases from the US and a one-year delay in implementing proposed rare-earth export controls. Bessent emphasized that the framework would avert the imposition of a 100% tariff on Chinese goods, which had been threatened by Trump. Additionally, the two nations are set to discuss broader issues, including the fentanyl crisis and Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine and Russia. In a separate development, Bessent confirmed that a final deal on TikTok’s US operations has been reached, with details to be finalized during the leaders’ meeting. The agreement reportedly involves the sale of TikTok’s American operations to a consortium of US investors, with ByteDance retaining a minority stake. This tentative truce marks a critical step in stabilizing US-China relations, though underlying tensions in technology and trade remain unresolved.

  • Red Cross transfers body of hostage held by Hamas to Israel

    Red Cross transfers body of hostage held by Hamas to Israel

    In a significant development amid the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) facilitated the transfer of the body of a deceased hostage from Gaza to Israel on Monday night. The hostage, whose identity remains undisclosed, had been held by Hamas since the October 7, 2023, attack. The transfer was part of a broader ceasefire agreement and a hostage-prisoner swap deal between the two parties. Hamas handed over the coffin to the ICRC in Gaza City, which subsequently delivered it to the Israeli military and the Shin Bet security agency. The body will undergo identification at the National Center of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv, after which the family will be officially notified. A Hamas source revealed that the body was recovered earlier in the day from the Al-Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City. This exchange marks the latest in a series of transfers under the ceasefire, which has seen Hamas release all 20 living Israeli hostages and Israel free approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees. Israel estimates that the bodies of 28 hostages remain in Gaza, with some killed before capture and others dying in captivity. Hamas has previously returned 15 bodies.

  • Ford’s enormous F-150 becomes unlikely part of Japan’s efforts to woo Trump

    Ford’s enormous F-150 becomes unlikely part of Japan’s efforts to woo Trump

    In a symbolic move to strengthen economic ties with the United States, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi showcased an American Ford F-150 truck during her meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo. The gesture was aimed at fostering goodwill, as Trump has long criticized Japan’s stringent vehicle safety standards and the scarcity of American cars in the country. The Ford F-150, a favorite of Trump, was prominently displayed as part of Takaichi’s efforts to align with U.S. trade interests. However, the practicality of large American vehicles in Japan remains questionable due to the country’s narrow roads, limited parking, and consumer preferences for compact or European models. Despite Trump’s enthusiasm for the idea, Japanese consumers and experts highlight challenges such as left-hand steering, lower fuel efficiency, and insufficient maintenance networks as barriers to the success of American car brands in Japan. This diplomatic maneuver comes amid ongoing trade negotiations, where Trump has pushed for increased purchases of American goods and investments in U.S. infrastructure. While Japan has committed to significant investments, it seeks to prioritize its own vendors and contractors in these deals.

  • India’s hopes hit as Pratika Rawal ruled out of Women’s Cricket World Cup semifinals

    India’s hopes hit as Pratika Rawal ruled out of Women’s Cricket World Cup semifinals

    India’s aspirations for clinching their maiden Women’s Cricket World Cup title have suffered a significant setback with the injury-induced withdrawal of star opening batter Pratika Rawal. Rawal, who has been in stellar form throughout the tournament, sustained an ankle injury during India’s final league-stage match against Bangladesh on Sunday. The match ended in a washout, but Rawal’s absence looms large as India prepares to face defending champions Australia in the semifinals.

  • Wall Street makes modest gains ahead of Fed rate announcement, Trump-Xi meeting

    Wall Street makes modest gains ahead of Fed rate announcement, Trump-Xi meeting

    Wall Street showed signs of modest gains early Tuesday as investors awaited a series of corporate earnings reports and a highly anticipated meeting between President Donald Trump and China’s top leader later this week. Futures for the S&P 500 edged up by less than 0.1%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose 0.3%. Nasdaq futures also saw a slight increase of 0.1% before the market opened.