Before the negotiations were underway, US President Donald Trump declared that the US had 'won' the war regardless of diplomatic efforts, adding, "Whether we make a deal or not makes no difference to me."

She added that a brief email exchange with Maxwell should not be interpreted as evidence of a deeper connection.

“My polite reply to her email doesn't amount to anything more than a trivial note. I am not Epstein's victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump ,” she said.

According to Netanyahu, the talks would focus on the disarmament of Hezbollah and the possibility of reaching what he described as a “sustainable, historic” peace agreement between the two countries.

Footage from the scene shows thousands of yellow-wrapped packages stacked under police guard as officers and sniffer dogs secured the area. Officials confirmed the massive haul was discovered during an operation targeting criminal networks operating in the city.

“Never before has such a volume been seized, approximately 48 tonnes of drugs. It is a historic record,” said Luciano, commander of the Dog Operations Battalion of the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State.

The drugs were found in the Complexo da Maré after a Belgian Malinois sniffer dog named Hulk detected narcotics hidden beneath a water tank. Officers later uncovered a sealed bunker inside an abandoned building where the large shipment had been stored.

The bar, made from nearly 2,000 kilograms of chocolate, surpasses the 220-metre record set in 2025.

While these huge sums are deployed daily for military activities, hundreds of millions of people still lack access to basic food.

According to the UN World Food Programme, ending global hunger by 2030 could cost around $93 billion per year, which is less than 1% of what the world has spent on military budgets over the past decade.

Yet, the U.S. alone spends roughly $2.7–$3 billion per day on defence when annual budgets are broken down into daily figures.

In simple terms, a fraction of global military expenditure could fund large-scale hunger reduction programmes.

In fact, the same conflicts that drive military spending often worsen hunger directly by displacing populations and disrupting agriculture.

A UN Development Programme report warns that rising military budgets are “diverting resources from the very foundations of stability,” including food systems and development.

The Boston Consulting Group notes that investment in sustainable agriculture can be four times more cost-effective than direct food aid, yet it receives only a small share of global funding.

So could the U.S. “solve world hunger” by redirecting war spending?

Reallocating hundreds of billions of dollars could dramatically reduce hunger. But ending it entirely would require sustained global coordination, institutional reform and long-term investment beyond emergency feeding.

But although the world can afford to end hunger, is it willing to prioritise it?

Abortions remain illegal in the predominantly Catholic country, with both patients and providers facing prison terms of up to six years. As a result, many Filipinas rely on informal networks and online forums where unlicensed sellers advertise abortifacients, often without proper medical guidance.

“It was very painful, as if my abdomen was being twisted,” Jane said, recounting how a purported doctor inserted a pill into her cervix without anaesthesia during a follow-up visit.

She added that she was warned not to disclose the abortion if complications arose. “I heard stories that some women were reported to the police , ignored or left to die when they reached the hospital,” the 31-year-old said.

Although post-abortion care has been legal for more than a decade, access remains limited. Many healthcare providers are reluctant to offer treatment due to fears of legal repercussions or losing their professional licenses.

According to Junice Melgar of the Likhaan Center for Women's Health , which serves low-income communities in Manila, the situation places both patients and providers in a difficult position.

“I believe that a lot of providers would like to help. They might find it ethical, but it’s a scary proposition for them,” she said.

The ongoing restrictions continue to drive vulnerable women toward unsafe alternatives, raising concerns among health advocates about the risks to women’s lives and wellbeing.

Speaking in Washington, D.C. on Monday, March 9, the U.S. president made the remarks when asked whether ending military operations after achieving strategic objectives would amount to abandoning the Iranian population .

In a televised interview, Gharibabadi said Iran considers its current actions to be self-defence rather than aggression.

Spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari said Iranian forces had launched more than 700 drones and hundreds of ballistic missiles within 48 hours, describing the barrage as surpassing the scale of a previous 12-day confrontation.

Iranian authorities blamed the United States and Israel for the attack. Israel said it was “not aware” of operations in the area, while the United States said it was reviewing the reports.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was confirmed dead in the attack.

Iran has responded with strikes on Israel and US assets across the Gulf region, with explosions reported in several countries.

Speaking before Israel’s parliament, Modi reflected on the migration of Indian Jews to Israel in the mid-20th century, noting the deep-rooted ties between the two nations.

Drone footage recorded on Monday, February 23, showed deserted streets across the tourist hub, with burned-out vehicles abandoned along roadways. Several shops remained shuttered, while others bore charred exteriors and scattered debris in the aftermath of the unrest.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islam ic calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection. From dawn to sunset, adults abstain from food and drink as an act of devotion and self-discipline. The month commemorates the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad and is regarded as the holiest period in Islam.

Video from the scene showed a bus carrying Yoon leaving the court complex as crowds waved U.S. and South Korean flags, chanting and beating drums. Some demonstrators held placards reading “Yoon is not guilty,” “There was no insurrection,” and “Martial law was justifiable.”

“Poland certainly does not intend to send Polish soldiers to the Gaza Strip. We have our own security challenges,” he said.

The prime minister added that the government does not foresee formal participation in the Peace Council initiative. Any Polish presence, he said, would be strictly observational.

Tusk also dismissed the idea of financing reconstruction or development projects in Gaza, saying Poland must prioritise investment in its own cities and domestic needs.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday, February 16, Trump said he had “nothing to hide” and insisted he had been cleared of any wrongdoing linked to financier Jeffrey Epstein. “I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. They went in hoping that they’d find it and found just the opposite,” he said.

Trump’s comments came amid renewed attention on the Epstein investigation after the Republican-led House Oversight Committee voted last month to hold former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas seeking testimony related to the case.

Speaking at the annual gathering, Trump suggested that Tehran was motivated by concern over possible strikes. “Ask Iran. They’re negotiating. Now, they don’t want to. They don’t want us to hit them. You know, we have a big fleet going over to Iran,” he said.

His comments came as tensions between the two countries remained high, with talks scheduled to take place in Oman on Friday, according to officials familiar with the diplomatic process.

However, 47-year-old Fernando Dias also seems to be in a comfortable lead.

After being disqualified from standing as a candidate, opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira has thrown his weight and support behind the Party for Social Renewal (PRS), a party headed by political newcomer Fernando Dias.

Expectations of the citizenry

During a conversation with Abigail Johnson Boakye, a journalist with Global South World, Samba M. Baldé, a Bissau-Guinean journalist, shared that despite the hype surrounding the upcoming elections, electorates seem to be less engaged, as they are tired of slogans and manifestos and want real solutions.

"Engagement exists, but it's uneven because voters react to something that has certain benefits than to only promises because for voters, when candidates fail to translate their proposals into real impact or how they can really impact society, public interest quickly drops. ...But people are, for example, no longer satisfied with slogans. They want clear plans and measurable results in Guinea-Bissau," Samba said.

On November 23, 860,000 voters head to the polls to decide whether their country can finally break free from decades of political turbulence.

Who is Fernando Dias?

Although new to the political spotlight, Dias is not entirely new to public life. His journey reflects a careful mix of academic training, political apprenticeship and a recent surge in national prominence.

He is a trained lawyer, holding both a Bachelor's degree in Law and a postgraduate qualification in Criminal Law from the Bissau Faculty of Law.

Before emerging as a presidential contender, he had built a steady career within state institutions, serving as the first Vice-President of the National People’s Assembly during the 11th legislature.

His roots in party politics run deeper than his “newcomer” label suggests.

He once served as Secretary-General of the youth wing of the Party for Social Renewal (PRS), eventually becoming its interim leader following a leadership vacancy. In June 2024, he was elected as president of the PRS.

He promises security for the people and desires to ensure the military does not interfere in the West African country's politics again.

"Our mission is clear: free Guinea-Bissau from the shackles of dictatorship and return power to the people. With faith, unity and courage, we will win the polls and build a new time for our nation," he wrote on his Facebook wall.

Background

Guinea-Bissau’s presidential and legislative races come at a moment when institutions are strained, and trust is fragile.

Umaro Sissoco Embaló's bid is seen as controversial because he has strategically reshaped the political arena through sudden dismissals and the appointment of a new prime minister ahead of the vote.

Heavyweight Domingos Simões Pereira and the historic PAIGC party-led coalition, PAI-Terra Ranka, were barred from contesting after the Supreme Court ruled their paperwork incomplete in October. This marks the first time the PAIGC party will be absent on a ballot paper.

Coups d'états, dissolved parliaments, and stalled reforms have marked Guinea-Bissau’s history. Embaló dissolved the National Assembly in December 2023, claiming an attempted coup, and left the country with no operational parliament for nearly two years.

Although his tenure ended in February 2025, Embaló stayed in the seat of power.

Under the amendments, penalties outlined in Articles 70 and 71 of the law will be significantly stiffened, while a newly added Article 71 introduces a formal reconciliation mechanism for past offences, Youm7 reports.

According to the committee, the move specifically targets two problems: the increasing frequency of electricity theft, often involving the manipulation of meters or tapping into the grid, and violations by employees who knowingly supply power unlawfully or fail to report breaches.

Article 70, which applies to electricity-sector staff, has been rewritten to impose a minimum one-year prison sentence and fines ranging from 100,000 to 1 million Egyptian pounds on workers who illegally supply electricity, intentionally deny licensed services or conceal violations. Previously, the maximum penalty was six months in prison and a 50,000-pound fine. Repeat offenders will now face doubled penalties.

Article 71, concerning electricity theft by individuals or entities, has also been sharply toughened. Those found guilty of illegally obtaining electricity will face at least one year in prison or fines between 100,000 and 1 million pounds. If the theft results in a power outage, imprisonment becomes mandatory. Offenders who tamper with electrical equipment to steal power will face a minimum two-year sentence and fines of up to 2 million.

In all cases, convicted individuals must pay double the value of stolen electricity as well as the full cost of repairing damage.

The new rule applies to women aged 18 to 52, and does not require a medical certificate. Officials estimate that 350,000 to 400,000 women will benefit.

However, it excludes the much larger informal workforce of roughly six million women, including domestic workers, daily-wage labourers and gig workers, a gap experts say should be addressed.

Still, the move is being widely described as a landmark step, particularly because it covers private-sector employees regardless of their job type or contract.

Countries such as Spain, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia already offer menstrual leave, and in India, states like Bihar and Odisha provide limited leave for government workers. Karnataka’s decision, however, represents the broadest rollout yet in the country.

Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad called the measure “one of the most progressive policy decisions” for women. The IT industry’s trade association, Nasscom, said many companies in the state already offer menstrual leave, and that complying with the government order would not be difficult.

Worker groups welcomed the move. Pratibha R, who leads the local Garment and Textile Workers’ Union, noted that many garment workers receive only 11 days of leave per year.

But the policy has stirred debate. Some women say discussing menstruation at work is still uncomfortable in a society where the topic remains taboo.

“How can one go and seek menstrual leave when we don’t even speak about it?” asked Anunita Kundu, a software manager.

While COVID-19 intensified the emotional strain, Gallup’s findings show that this trend predates the pandemic. The causes, researchers say, vary across regions, but one theme keeps emerging about technology and polarisation.

"So, if we look at things like the rates of worry, 39% of the people we interviewed in 2024 reported that they experienced a lot of worry the day before. When we first started tracking that data in 2006, it was only at 30% and so 9% of the global population is a big portion. And we see similar patterns for the other emotions —stress, physical pain, anger, and sadness — over that time frame. With a lot of those gains really coming in the last few years, and it's something that troubles me when I look at this data," Dan Foy thr Global Research Director at Gallup, told Global South World.

In many regions, particularly post-Soviet Eurasia, perceptions of safety have doubled over the last 20 years.

These are countries that have undergone significant political and social transformations, moving from instability toward greater structure and governance.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the sense of safety has slipped, from 58% to 53%, and in Latin America and the Caribbean, only half of the population says they feel safe walking alone at night.

With this paradox, the world has a long way to go in achieving a balance between the safety and emotional health of its people.

Watch the full interview attached to the story for more insight.

Other expensive countries include Cameroon, where broadband costs hover around $57 to $58 per month, largely driven by major network providers like MTN.

Kenya and South Africa follow at about $48, while Morocco averages $35 and Nigeria about $22, with names like Maroc Telecom and Spectranet leading the charge.

The high cost of internet services in Africa is mostly attributed to several interlinked factors, including weak infrastructure, limited competition among service providers, and heavy reliance on imported bandwidth.

This challenge, some analysts believe, could be subdued by Elon Musk's Starlink's presence in Africa.

"Due to Africa’s geographical size and the still weak terrestrial infrastructure, the company could play a prominent role in providing last-mile access to communities across the continent," Diplo states in its Status of Internet Access and Connectivity in Africa report .

Unlike continents with dense fibre-optic networks, much of Africa relies on satellite connectivity and undersea cables , both costly to build and maintain.

In countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Malawi, local internet service providers (ISPs) must pay high wholesale prices to access international bandwidth, costs that are inevitably passed down to consumers.

Monopolistic tendencies within certain markets also prevent healthy competition. In other words, in many countries, just a handful of major network providers in Africa control the market , keeping prices high and competition low.

In comparison to the West, people in Switzerland pay about $68 with Swisscom; Australians $52 with OC Broadband. Germany’s average is $36, Canada’s $58, and the UK sits around $39, all for much faster, more reliable connections.

Additionally, the World Population Review reports that "Residents of the United Arab Emirates pay the highest average internet cost at $98.84 per month worldwide, followed by nearby Qatar at $92.04 monthly. There’s a substantial drop to third place, Oman, where people spend an average of $76.99 per month on the internet. Honduras takes fourth place ($72.28), followed by Saudi Arabia ($70.75). The United States sits in sixth place at $67.57 per month. Of the ten most expensive nations, half are located in the Middle East."

The minister detailed recent security efforts, stating that over 592 terrorists have been prosecuted in the past eight months. He emphasised that Nigeria’s armed forces continue to play a crucial role in restoring peace across regions affected by insurgency and violent extremism.

The remarks follow a recent turn in the diplomatic relations between the two nations. On October 31, US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for severe violations of religious freedom. He further followed up a social media post threatening military action against Nigeria, as well as a full cutoff of US aid to the country, if its government “continues to allow the killing of Christians.”

“After hearing the government’s announcement that we could resume work today, we thanked God that we’re back to our jobs, even though things aren’t quite the same yet," said Emmanuel Adenia, a motorcycle taxi driver. " People are still a bit fearful here and there, but it’s not too bad because we’ve been sitting at home for nearly a week without work,” he told Viory.

“Customers are still a bit fearful, coming one by one, but we are satisfied because that’s just the reality of things right now," said Ester Joel Shangarai, a local vegetable seller.

The government lifted curfews and partially restored internet access this week, easing restrictions imposed during a period of nationwide shutdown. The unrest erupted following the announcement by Tanzania’s electoral commission that President Samia had secured 98 percent of the vote, a result widely rejected by opposition groups as fraudulent.

Despite a heavy security presence, Samia was sworn in for a second term on Monday. Opposition leaders claim that more than 800 people have died in clashes related to the election.

“When this chancellor was imprisoned, she was released and decided to request asylum in Mexico. It was evaluated here in Mexico, just as all such requests are evaluated, and she went to the Mexican embassy in Peru, where she still remains,” Sheinbaum explained.

“This is where, due to this, the current president of Peru, through his chancellor, decided to break diplomatic relations with Mexico, which from our perspective is completely disproportionate,” she added.

“Yesterday, the Mexican ambassador, the head of the embassy, asked the Foreign Ministry and was told that the consular relationship was not being broken, only the diplomatic embassy relationship,” she said. “We will wait, however, to receive official notification, because we only know it through the statements.”

Peru’s Foreign Ministry announced the diplomatic severance on Friday, citing Mexico’s repeated interference in its internal affairs.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently claimed that Christians are being specifically targeted , citing figures that 3,100 of the 4,470 victims were Christian.

However, security experts dispute this assertion, noting that Islamist violence in Nigeria is often indiscriminate, affecting both Christians and Muslims alike.

Analysts emphasise that many of the deadliest attacks have struck Muslim-majority communities, and no reliable data proves Christians are disproportionately targeted.

Experts point instead to complex, overlapping causes behind the violence, from struggles over political power and land disputes to deep-rooted ethnic tensions.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s military remains overstretched, underfunded, and mired in corruption , leaving it unable to sustain gains against insurgents who have adapted with new funding networks, local alliances, and control of rural zones.

“The African Union’s Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration clearly express Africa’s united stance. The continent demands at least two permanent seats with veto power, in addition to more non-permanent seats,” he noted.

Ghana also praised Germany for its consistent support for Security Council reform and Africa’s inclusion. “We commend President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the German government for their principled stand,” President Mahama said.

Calling on the international community to go beyond declarations, he urged all nations to take concrete steps to reform the Security Council, making it “more representative, democratic and legitimate.”

The Security Council has 15 members, five permanent members - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States - who hold veto power, and ten non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for staggered two-year terms.

Fishermen in Las Cuevas say the heightened military presence is intimidating and dangerous. “I feel terrified, very terrified, knowing that anything can happen,” Karl Hernandez, a local fisherman, told Viory.

Their concerns rose after an October 14 airstrike by a US military aircraft killed six people aboard a small vessel in international waters near Venezuela ’s Sucre region. Among the victims were Trinidadian nationals Chad "Charpo" Joseph and Rishi Samaroo. The US claims the boat was part of a drug trafficking network.

However, families in Las Cuevas insist the men were returning home from a fishing trip and accuse the US of carrying out extrajudicial killings. “He could be whatever, but he is still my grandson,” said Christine Clement, grandmother of Chad Joseph. “For me, nothing would matter. That cannot bring life back. It would only show the world what is happening.”

Despite local outrage, Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar publicly backed the US operation.

“The truth is they have tried to turn the perpetrators of the attempted coup d’état into victims,” de Zela said, noting that Peruvians remain committed to democracy .

He criticised Mexico for standing alone in failing to recognise Peru’s democratic order, calling its actions “wrong and unacceptable.” Despite the diplomatic rupture, de Zela clarified that consular relations would continue, ensuring protection for Peruvians in Mexico and Mexicans in Peru.

AU Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat has strongly condemned the recent wave of violence in Al-Fashar, urging both sides to stop fighting and open corridors for humanitarian aid.

But on the ground, the situation is heartbreaking. The UN says civilians are enduring unimaginable suffering, from mass killings and sexual violence to starvation and forced disappearances under the Rapid Support Forces’ siege.

Tensions are also rising internationally. At an emergency UN Security Council meeting in New York , Sudan accused the United Arab Emirates of secretly funding and arming the RSF. The UAE rejected the claim, instead blaming Sudan’s army for stalling peace efforts.

Both the AU and UN now face growing frustration over slow progress. While AU mediators work to revive peace talks, the UN continues to push for access to deliver aid and hold perpetrators accountable.

For millions of Sudanese people trapped in this nightmare, hope feels distant. Observers warn that the coming days could reveal whether the AU and UN can still make a difference, or if they’ll once again stand by as another humanitarian disaster unfolds.

Officials claim they killed armed criminals who resisted arrest, captured over 80 suspects, and seized dozens of rifles and drugs.

Rio’s governor described the operation as a fight against narco-terrorism and declared the city “at war .”

However, human rights groups and witnesses paint a far darker picture, calling the incident a “massacre.” Locals reported seeing bodies in the streets, some apparently shot execution-style. Others described injuries consistent with stabbings and even decapitation.

The raid comes just days before major global events in Brazil, including the Earthshot Prize and COP30 climate talks.

Unanswered questions remain, including how many of those killed were gang members and how many were innocent residents caught in the crossfire.

Critics fear the operation marks yet another escalation in Rio’s long cycle of violence between police and gangs, leaving already traumatised communities in deeper distress.

Fashion designer Aisha Thaddeus also told Viory that her style blends traditional fabrics like Aso-Oke and Ankara into wearable, globally appealing designs. “We bring something radiant,” she said, explaining her mix of Nigerian textures. 

Actor Kiki Festus praised Nigeria's innovative spirit, saying, “We're putting our country on the map.” Tech expert Joshua Peresi echoed the sentiment, calling Lagos “a hub for creativity.”

The robotic system she employs allows for millimetric precision, helping patients walk pain-free just 24 hours after surgery. Vélez’s work not only represents a leap in surgical innovation but also breaks gender barriers in a field historically dominated by men.

“Orthopaedics has always been led by men,” Vélez told Viory, “but I’ve led a group of women, and I hope there will be many more of us in Latin America .”

Strategically located in the city of Barranquilla, close to Central America , the Caribbean, and the southern U.S., Vélez sees the city as a growing hub for medical tourism. Her work gives patients access to U.S.-standard robotic care at home or nearby.

“This offensive of threats seeks to strip our people of their revolution, their power, and return us to the shadows of imperial domination,” Maduro said. “Whatever the threat may be, and whenever it comes, I always tell the people: nerves of steel . Calm, prudence, and maximum unity in action.”

The president also dismissed international criticism, labelling him a dictator, referencing his working-class roots in the barrios of Caracas and distancing himself from elites trained abroad. “I wasn’t trained at the School of the Americas, Harvard, or Langley,” he said. “I was trained in the high schools and neighbourhoods of Caracas - El Valle, 23 de Enero, Catia, Propatria, El Cementerio.”

Maduro concluded with a plea for de-escalation, calling on both regional leaders and the people of the United States to reject militarism and support peace. “Enough of threats, enough of militarism, enough of fascism. Respect the people’s right to peace,” he said. 

The United States has deployed warships and fighter jets in the region since August, citing efforts to combat transnational narcotics operations.

Speaking before the UN, Algeria's Permanent Representative Amar Bendjama explained that his country had abstained from the vote as a deliberate act to demonstrate its rejection of a resolution it says "does not adequately reflect the UN doctrine regarding decolonisation."

"This text ignores the proposals of the Polisario Front, which were recently submitted to the Secretary-General and Security Council under reference S/2025/664," Bendjama said. "The Polisario is a party to the conflict and its opinion must be heard, if not taken into consideration."

He also raised what he described as “serious, legitimate legal questions” about the foundations of the proposed negotiation framework embedded in the resolution, suggesting that the plan could undermine established international legal norms around self-determination.

The resolution renews the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), but increasingly appears to sideline the original premise of a UN-organised referendum in favour of Morocco’s autonomy proposal, something Algeria and the Polisario Front oppose.

Community members gathered in the streets holding banners and chanting against Rio’s governor, Claudio Castro, whom they accused of ordering excessive violence . Witnesses say several victims had already surrendered before being shot. “We are not defending criminals, we are defending justice,” said resident Claudia Vitalino. “Police officers do not have the power to kill people, they need to learn that,” she told Viory.

Others demanded transparency from the authorities, calling for the release of autopsy reports and police camera footage. “Where is the evidence to say that all those bodies lying in the street were really criminals?” asked resident Reis. “The police are made to protect only the rights of the bourgeoisie, not us.”

Authorities have yet to release a full report on the operation or confirm the number of deaths.

Footage by Viory from the scene showed elderly protesters waving banners denouncing Milei and accusing the government of stripping away hard-earned rights. “They want to take it all, all the rights. The rights we've fought for so many years,” said one protester. “I'm 67 years old and I've been through it all, and we keep fighting in the streets just the same,” he added.

Tensions have continued to rise since Milei’s La Libertad Avanza coalition secured victory in last week’s elections . Many demonstrators voiced concern that the government’s response to social unrest had grown increasingly repressive. “Now that he won, it’s going to get worse. But why do they repress us?” asked another retiree at the scene.

The protest was the latest in a growing wave of opposition to the president’s economic policies, which include major public spending cuts aimed at controlling inflation and addressing Argentina’s long-standing debt crisis. However, critics argue these measures disproportionately impact the country’s most vulnerable populations, including pensioners.

Organisers have called for a nationwide mobilisation next week, hoping to rally more than 100,000 people across multiple cities to demand the restoration of pensions and essential services.

“It was a massacre with several premeditated killings, those where there is intent to kill,” said Alex Castro, a resident of the community. “Mothers have lost their children , wives their husbands, and children their parents. The only thing we ask for is peace.”

Neusa, another resident, expressed frustration at the state’s repeated use of violence while failing to invest in long-term solutions. “The State knows how to make us cry, because we are mothers. But the State doesn’t come with projects,” she said. “Everything that happened today should not have happened,” she said.

The community is still reeling, with reports that several bodies remain in the forested areas surrounding the favela. Residents have taken it upon themselves to organise searches, with some travelling by motorcycle deep into the woods to recover the dead.

Claudia, who witnessed one of the killings, described how a man who had already surrendered was executed. “He said, ‘I surrender.’ That’s what he did. And they shot him anyway,” she said. “Not even criminals should be killed. This shouldn’t be happening in our favela.” 

The operation has once again put Brazil’s militarised policing strategies under scrutiny, especially in poor, predominantly Black communities that say they are treated as enemy territory.

“They want to end violence in the favela, but who robs more?” asked resident Adailton. “They rob more than we, the poor. They even want to cancel our 13th salary, but instead of filtering their own thefts, they come to oppress us.”

So far, authorities have not released an official death toll or detailed account of the operation.

A video by Viory showed a column of smoke rising over the city. The protests, led by opposition supporters, called for political reforms and transparency in the electoral process.

Police used tear gas to disperse crowds, and authorities have imposed a curfew. Internet disruptions were also reported nationwide.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan, expected to secure re-election, has faced accusations of stifling dissent after key opposition candidates were disqualified. Human rights groups have condemned recent crackdowns on free speech and political activity.

“I am doing this because I want to promote and preserve our culture , to show everyone that this is who we are, and we are proud of our culture,” Masaloon shared with Viory.

The footage shows Masaloon collecting the rats with other tribe members before preparing them in traditional ways. She says the dish has been passed down for generations. “Our father, our mother, taught us how to catch them and cook. It has been eaten since the time of our ancestors... even by the new generation today,” she said.

Despite the growing support online, Masaloon has also faced online ridicule, with some commenters mocking her appearance. “All of those hurtful words, I just use them as a way to make myself stronger,” she said.

Ambow Girl has over 220,000 followers and continues to share her tribal life.

Footage from this year’s event captured by Viory shows dramatic scenes at the Bang Liao Shrine, where devotees known as 'Mah Song' or “Horses of the gods” entered trances believed to be guided by divine possession. In these altered states, participants had their cheeks pierced with swords, rods, tree branches, and even tools like axes and machetes. Others were seen walking barefoot over burning embers, part of the traditional fire-walking ceremony.

According to tradition, the Mah Song’s pain-defying acts serve a purpose of absorbing bad luck and misfortune, protecting the community from evil spirits, and ensuring good fortune in the year to come.

Each day of the festival sees loud processions through the streets of Phuket Town, with devotees parading past shrines, firecrackers in the background, and the air thick with incense smoke.

Netanyahu described the alliance as a “relationship of partners,” noting that operational cooperation between the two countries had reached “an all-time high,” particularly during the second phase of Operation “Am Kalavi.”

He also cited recent joint efforts such as the release of all living hostages from Gaza and the return of the deceased as evidence of successful collaboration. “We are changing the face of the Middle East together,” he added.

However, Netanyahu made clear that Israel's military responses are determined solely by its leadership. “We are not prepared to tolerate attacks against us. We respond according to our discretion,” he said, referencing airstrikes in Lebanon and Gaza, including a recent operation in which Israel “dropped 150 tons on Hamas and the terrorist elements after the attack on our two soldiers.”

He emphasised that Israel takes preemptive action as well, saying, “We also thwart dangers in their formation before they materialise, as we did just yesterday in the Gaza Strip.”

Closing his remarks, Netanyahu reaffirmed that Israel does not seek external permission to defend itself, “We do not ask anyone for approval for this. We control our own security, and we have also made it clear with regard to international forces that Israel will determine which forces are unacceptable to us. That is how we operate and will continue to operate.”

“This initiative is about more than just swapping clothes,” Gomez told Viory. “We have the Atacama Desert clothed, not in bloom. This is a call to action against textile waste, which pollutes our environment . Through exchange, repair, and transformation, we’re creating new ways to connect, physically and emotionally,” she added.

Gomez referred to the alarming situation in the Atacama Desert, where an estimated 30,000 tonnes of discarded clothing and textile waste accumulate, a byproduct of the global fast fashion industry.

Guinness World Records adjudicator Natalia Ramirez praised the initiative, describing it as having “an extremely important social impact.”

“The organisers highlighted the issue of overconsumption and promoted circular fashion to extend the life of garments, an idea that resonates globally, not just in Chile,” Ramirez noted.

According to government data, Chileans consume an average of 32 kilograms of textiles per person annually, contributing to more than 572,000 tonnes of textile waste each year.

The US president marked his arrival with his trademark fist-pumping dance — a move that has long drawn both amusement and ridicule during his political rallies.

Beyond the theatrics, Trump’s visit carries weight. 

His first order of business is to oversee a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, two neighbours whose border tensions have turned deadly in recent years.

Trump is also expected to raise issues of trade and regional security with Southeast Asian leaders, many of whom are increasingly anxious about China’s assertiveness in the region.

The measures, issued by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), block any property or assets owned by Petro, his wife, and his son, Nicolás Petro Burgos, within US jurisdiction. The sanctions also prevent them from conducting any international transactions involving American financial systems.

Tensions between the US and Colombia have been mounting since September, when Washington removed Bogotá from its list of partners cooperating in the fight against drug trafficking.

The US revoked Petro's visa following his appearance at a pro-Palestinian protest in New York during the UN General Assembly that same month.