Articles in this Cluster
01-12-2025
The article reports on the terrifying escape of people from el-Fasher in Darfur, Sudan, after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured the city in October. The BBC traveled to a tent camp in northern Sudan to hear first-hand accounts of those who escaped. Survivors described the RSF fighters shooting at civilians, including the elderly, with live ammunition, and driving over injured people. Many people were displaced, with some making it to nearby towns or crossing into Chad. The UN says less than half of the 260,000 people estimated to have been in the city before it fell have been accounted for. Aid agencies believe many people did not escape due to danger, detention, or the cost of buying their way out. Survivors also reported widespread accounts of sexual violence, including rape, and the separation of men from women and children.
Entities: Sudan, el-Fasher, Darfur, Rapid Support Forces (RSF), BBC • Tone: negative • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
01-12-2025
US Senator Marco Rubio says talks with Ukraine over a deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war were 'productive' but more work is needed. The talks, held in Florida, were attended by a Ukrainian delegation led by national security council secretary Rustem Umerov and US officials including President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. The meeting is part of intense diplomatic activity sparked by the leaking of a 28-point US peace plan. Rubio stated that the aim of peace talks with Russia is to leave Ukraine 'sovereign, independent and prosperous'. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to the US and Trump for their efforts to end the war.
Entities: Marco Rubio, Ukraine, Russia, Rustem Umerov, Donald Trump • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: positive • Intent: inform
01-12-2025
The BBC has gathered evidence suggesting that the Georgian authorities used a World War One-era chemical weapon, 'camite', to quell anti-government protesters last year. Protesters reported long-lasting symptoms such as skin burning, shortness of breath, coughing, and vomiting. The BBC's investigation, which included testimony from protesters, doctors, and whistleblowers from Georgia's riot police, points to the use of camite, a chemical compound developed by the French military during WW1. The Georgian authorities have denied the allegations, calling the investigation findings 'absurd'.
Entities: Georgia, BBC, Tbilisi, European Union, France • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
01-12-2025
Twelve young girls kidnapped by jihadists in Nigeria's Borno state a week ago have been released. The girls, aged between 16 and 23, were kidnapped near their farms in a nature reserve that has become a hideout for the jihadists. The release came after the jihadists spoke to the parents, who went to the bush to negotiate. No ransom was paid, and the jihadists released the women because the army was in pursuit. The incident is part of a surge in abductions of young people in Nigeria over the past two weeks. Borno state has been at the heart of Nigeria's conflict with jihadists, including Boko Haram, for 16 years, resulting in over 40,000 deaths and two million displaced people. The violence is not limited to the northeast, with recent abductions occurring in the central-western Niger delta state.
Entities: Nigeria, Borno state, Abubakar Mazhinyi, Askira-Uba council, AFP • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: positive • Intent: inform
01-12-2025
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian officials held four hours of talks on Sunday to discuss a potential peace plan to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. The negotiations, which also included special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, were described as 'productive and useful' but with 'more work to be done.' Witkoff is set to travel to Moscow on Monday to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The talks come at a sensitive moment for Ukraine, dealing with a domestic corruption scandal and pushing back against Russian forces. The proposed plan has been criticized for being too weighted toward Russian demands, and revisions are being made.
Entities: Marco Rubio, Ukraine, Russia, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: positive • Intent: inform
01-12-2025
Russian drone and missile attacks in and around Kyiv killed at least three people as Ukrainian representatives traveled to the US for peace talks. The Ukrainian delegation, led by national security chief Rustem Umerov, met with US officials, including a special envoy sent by former President Donald Trump, to discuss a renewed push to end the nearly four-year war. Meanwhile, Ukraine carried out attacks on Russian oil terminals and tankers, aiming to deprive Moscow of oil export revenue. The conflict continues as Russia attempts to cripple Ukraine's power grid and deny civilians access to basic necessities.
Entities: Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Rustem Umerov • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
01-12-2025
European stocks started December 2025 in negative territory, with the Stoxx 600 down 0.44% as investors await a potential interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve on December 9-10. Traders are pricing in an 87.4% chance of a quarter-point rate cut. Meanwhile, progress toward a peace deal for Ukraine is being closely watched as US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff travels to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks follow Ukraine's approval in principle of a US-backed 19-point peace plan. Asian markets were mixed, while US stock futures were little changed on Sunday night.
Entities: European stocks, Stoxx 600, US Federal Reserve, Steve Witkoff, Moscow • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
01-12-2025
US diplomats have made 'progress' in talks with Ukrainian officials to end the war with Russia, with discussions focusing on sensitive issues like Ukraine's NATO aspirations and territorial concessions. While a final decision has not been made, negotiators are exploring creative solutions to address Ukraine's red lines. The next challenge lies in getting Russia to accept potential compromises.
Entities: US, Ukraine, Russia, NATO, Kremlin • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: positive • Intent: inform
01-12-2025
President Donald Trump expressed optimism about a potential deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine following talks between US and Ukrainian officials in South Florida. Trump told reporters on Air Force One that there is a 'good chance' of a deal. The talks involved Senator Marco Rubio and businessman Steven Witkoff, who met with Ukrainian officials. Trump did not provide details about the potential deal.
Entities: Donald Trump, Russia, Ukraine, Marco Rubio, Steven Witkoff • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: positive • Intent: inform
01-12-2025
A Muslim father and his two sons have been accused of murdering their 18-year-old relative, Ryan Al Najjar, in the Netherlands because they believed she was behaving too 'Western'. The victim's body was found in a lake with her hands and feet bound. Prosecutors allege that the family was strict Islamic and were embarrassed by Ryan's lifestyle, including a TikTok video showing her without a headscarf and wearing makeup. The father, Khaled Al Najjar, is believed to have fled to Syria after orchestrating the killing. The two brothers, Mohamed and Muhanad Al Najjar, are also charged with murder. Prosecutors are seeking a 25-year prison sentence for Khaled and 20 years for each of the brothers.
Entities: Ryan Al Najjar, Netherlands, Syria, Khaled Al Najjar, Mohamed Al Najjar • Tone: negative • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
01-12-2025
US officials, including Senator Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, met with Ukrainian negotiators in Florida to discuss a peace deal to end the war between Ukraine and Russia. The talks come after Ukraine's top negotiator, Andriy Yermak, resigned amid an anti-corruption investigation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the dialogue based on Geneva points will continue and that the Ukrainian delegation has the necessary directives to work towards a dignified end to the war. The US peace plan, which has been reduced from 28 to 19 points, is expected to be discussed in Moscow this week.
Entities: Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Ukraine, Russia • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
01-12-2025
Ukraine has sent a new delegation to Florida for peace talks with the US, led by Rustem Umerov, to discuss ending the war with Russia. The change in delegation is seen as a shift away from Ukraine's previous uncompromising stance, with Umerov being more open to compromise. The talks, which also involved US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Jared Kushner, were deemed productive and focused on refining President Trump's proposed framework for peace. However, concerns remain about the influence of former Ukrainian official Andriy Yermak, who resigned amid corruption allegations but may still be shaping Ukraine's negotiating position behind the scenes.
Entities: Ukraine, US, Russia, President Zelenskyy, Rustem Umerov • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: positive • Intent: inform
01-12-2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris to bolster European support for Ukraine amid ongoing peace talks with Russia. The meeting comes after 'productive' talks between US and Ukrainian negotiators in Florida, with US President Donald Trump expressing optimism about a potential peace deal. EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas described the coming week as 'pivotal' for diplomacy. Meanwhile, Ukraine is struggling with military pressure and a domestic corruption scandal. The war has taken a toll on young Ukrainian soldiers, with many casualties and a national youth recruitment drive struggling to replenish the armed forces.
Entities: Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron, Paris, Donald Trump, Russia • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
01-12-2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to make his first official visit to Ireland, where he will meet with Irish leaders and attend the inauguration of the Ireland-Ukraine Economic Forum. Meanwhile, his top team is in Florida for peace talks with the US, which have been described as 'productive' by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The talks come after Donald Trump released a 28-point proposal that was seen to favour Russia, but Rubio reassured Ukraine that the plans aim to create a mechanism for Ukraine to be independent and sovereign. Russian forces have continued to launch attacks on Ukraine, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens more.
Entities: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ireland, US, Russia, Ukraine • Tone: neutral • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
