Bangladesh's election commission announced plans for general elections by December following nationwide unrest. Interim government chief Muhammad Yunus agreed to BNP’s demand for early polls, citing law and order concerns. Yunus, in power since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, leads reform efforts, including constitutional changes. Student-led uprisings dismantled Mujib-era symbols, fueling tensions. The UN and EU urged free elections, while BNP questioned the government's neutrality in overseeing the process.
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Pelicot stood trial alongside 50 other men, many of whom denied the allegations. However, the court in Avignon found 47 guilty of rape, two of attempted rape, and two of sexual assault. The men, who hailed from nearby villages and towns, represented a cross-section of society, including firefighters, lorry drivers, soldiers, journalists, and DJs. This shocking diversity underscored how the network extended deep into the local community.
Keith Siegel, a 65-year-old dual citizen of the US and Israel, was freed by Hamas after 484 days of captivity. This release is part of an ongoing ceasefire and prisoner swap deal. His wife, Aviva, had been advocating for his release since she was freed in November 2023.
A recent Taiwanese survey reveals alarmingly low support among young people for regulating pro-China influencers. Less than 40% of those aged 20-24 favor legal measures against influencers promoting unification, compared to much higher support in other age groups. Experts warn this indicates a concerning lack of awareness about Chinese influence campaigns, particularly among youth exposed to Chinese social media.
US Senate confirmed US President Trump's nominee Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense after a tie-breaking vote by Vice president Vance. Hegseth, known for his conservative commentary on Fox News, was almost jeopardized by misconduct allegations. He is praised by Trump and has extensive military service, influencing his views on national security.
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have forcibly closed settlement camps in eastern Congo, displacing over 110,000 people amid ongoing conflict. Despite a ceasefire, fighting persists as the rebels advance, creating a worsening humanitarian crisis. Displaced families struggle to find shelter and aid as tensions escalate.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, nominated by Donald Trump to lead Homeland Security, faced a Senate hearing. Promising to enforce stricter immigration policies, Noem aims to deport millions, end asylum-seeker policies, and focus on deporting migrants with criminal records. Senate discussions included disaster response, federal cybersecurity, and Secret Service reforms, highlighting the department's crucial national security role.
China's military conducted extensive air and naval activities near Taiwan, prompting the island's defense ministry to activate an emergency response center. Taiwanese officials described the activities as training, while China reiterated its stance against Taiwanese independence and foreign collaboration. The increased military presence followed Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's recent visits to Hawaii and Guam.
Hours after TikTok went dark in the US, the company said Sunday that it was in the process of restoring service. “We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive,†TikTok Policy wrote on X.