Author: Amanda Martinez

The M23 rebels’ killing of Maj Gen Peter Cirimwami, North Kivu’s Governor, has escalated the DR Congo Conflict. It has displaced over 400,000 people and killed more than 200 civilians. The M23 has seized control of key towns, including Masisi and Minova, sparking concerns about food supplies and overwhelming hospitals. The conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis, with millions forced to flee their homes. The situation is dire, with the territory of Goma and neighboring Nyiragongo territory hosting over 700,000 displaced people. Humanitarian partners are concerned about the increasing numbers of wounded people arriving in already-overwhelmed health facilities. The…

The Ministry of Defense and Rolls-Royce have finalized a £9 billion agreement to enhance the production of nuclear submarines. Defense Secretary John Healey announced the historic Rolls-Royce nuclear submarine deal on Friday. This marks the largest-ever collaboration between the two entities.  The eight-year Unity contract aims to modernize the design, manufacture, and support services for submarine reactors. Officials anticipate it will create over 1,000 new jobs in the UK and secure 4,000 existing positions. During his visit to Rolls-Royce’s reactor production facility in Derby, Healey emphasized the deal’s significance. “This investment in Britain’s defence will deliver a long-term boost to…

On Thursday, California wildfire crisis escalated as five new wildfires erupted, complicating ongoing firefighting efforts. According to updates from Cal Fire, the blazes, named Laguna, Sepulveda, Gibbel, Gilman, and Border 2, spread across Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, and Riverside counties.  In San Diego, the Border 2 fire has scorched 800 acres, prompting an active evacuation order for nearby communities. Meanwhile, Ventura’s Laguna fire, which spans 94 acres, is 70% contained, allowing crews to focus on hotspots. Firefighters in Los Angeles have made significant progress, containing 60% of the 45-acre Sepulveda fire and lifting prior evacuation orders. Riverside County witnessed…

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is taking action against Taliban leaders. Karim Khan, the ICC’s top prosecutor, will seek arrest warrants against Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani. They are suspected of committing crimes against humanity, specifically targeting women and girls. Taliban leaders face justice against human rights. The Taliban’s persecution of women and girls has been brutal. Since regaining power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban has imposed strict “morality laws”. Women and girls are banned from education, with over 1.5 million being deliberately deprived of schooling. The ICC’s investigation found reasonable grounds to suspect…

A knife attack in Schöntal Park, Aschaffenburg, left a two-year-old boy and a 42-year-old man dead on Friday. Police arrested a 28-year-old Afghan Asylum seeker at the scene while two other victims, including a child, remain hospitalized with severe injuries. Officials revealed the suspect, known for past violent behaviour, faced deportation after his asylum claim was rejected. Bavaria’s interior minister, Joachim Herrmann, confirmed authorities had detained him three times for violence but released him after psychiatric treatment. Bavarian state premier Markus Söder called the incident despicable and noted the deceased man acted courageously to help the victims. Authorities ruled out…

Netflix will raise prices in several countries after adding 19 million new subscribers in the final quarter of 2024. Netflix’s subscription price hike was confirmed by the company for the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Portugal, starting immediately. In the US, most plans will see price increases, including the standard ad-free subscription rising to $17.99 from $15.49. The ad-supported plan will increase by $1, bringing the cost to $7.99. Netflix justified the changes by stating, “We will occasionally ask our members to pay a little more so that we can reinvest to further improve Netflix.” While Netflix’s spokesperson declined to…

Western officials have revealed alarming numbers of North Korean troop casualties in the conflict in Russia’s western Kursk region. Nearly 40% of the troops have been lost in just three months. Out of the estimated 11,000 troops sent from North Korea, 4,000 have been reported as battle casualties. This includes those killed, wounded, missing, or captured. The North Korean troops, reportedly from an elite unit called the Storm Corps, are led by Russian officers. This has created communication barriers and further complicated their situation. According to Col Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former British Army tank commander, “These troops are barely…

The US refugee admissions process has come to a grinding halt. The US Refugee Program is facing a significant setback as a new order aims to suspend refugee admissions. According to the order, the suspension was set to take effect on January 27. However, a memo suggests that the suspension is effective immediately. This sudden move has left many refugees and advocates in limbo. The US refugee program has existed for decades, providing a haven for refugees from around the world. The program has a rigorous vetting process to ensure that only eligible refugees are resettled in the US. Under…

Elon Musk’s Trump rally gestures ignited controversy after he made a one-armed gesture at a post-inauguration rally celebrating Donald Trump’s inauguration. Must thanked the crowd and thrust his arm out straight ahead of him. Many on social media platform X likened the gesture to a Nazi salute. Historians Claire Aubin and Ruth Ben-Ghiat condemned the gesture. Aubin called it a sieg heil, while Ben-Ghiat described it as a very belligerent Nazi salute. Andrea Stroppa, a close confidant of Musk, initially posted a clip of the gesture with the caption Roman Empire is back starting from Roman salute. However, he later…

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister, expressed hope for a Gaza peace deal at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He stated that Qatar hopes to see the Palestinian Authority return to play a governing role in Gaza once the war with Israel comes to an end. The Prime Minister’s comments came two days after a ceasefire, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, took effect in Gaza. Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that Gazans should dictate how the enclave will be governed, rather than any other country. He said, “We hope to see the PA back in…

The Turkish Hotel Fire Disaster occurred at the Grand Kartal Hotel, killing at least 66 people. On Tuesday, a devastating fire swept through the 12-story wooden-clad hotel. Over 230 people were staying at the hotel during the busy holiday period. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as guests tried to escape the burning building. Some people jumped out of windows, while others used linen to climb down. Ski instructor Necmi Kepcetutan was on the second floor when the fire broke out. He managed to escape through the ski room and helped with relief efforts. The Grand Kartal hotel fire started in the…

President Donald Trump has given TikTok a 75-day extension to adhere to US regulations mandating its sale or ban. Signed on Monday, the presidential order halts the implementation of laws signed under former President Joe Biden last year. In a statement from the Oval Office, Trump stated that affluent people were lobbying him on the app, saying, “I tell you what. Every rich person has called me about TikTok.” Previously advocating for TikTok’s ban in 2020, Trump proposes a 50-50 joint venture between ByteDance and the United States. Big technology executives, including TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew, attended Trump’s inauguration…