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A mass shooting at a pool hall in Ecuador's Santo Domingo city has left seven dead and four wounded, marking the second such attack in less than a month. Police attribute the violence to a 'territorial dispute' between organized crime groups. The attack is part of a larger wave of violence in Ecuador, which has seen over 4,600 homicides in the first half of the year, a 47% increase from the same period last year. The country is a key departure point for cocaine shipments to the US and Europe and is plagued by criminal groups involved in extortion and contract killings.

China has accused Nvidia of violating antimonopoly laws following an investigation into the company's acquisition of Mellanox in 2020. The accusation comes as the US and China hold trade talks in Spain, heightening tensions between the two countries. China's regulators will carry out further investigation into Nvidia, and have also launched an antidumping investigation into certain analog IC chips imported from the US. The move is seen as part of China's efforts to increase scrutiny of the US chip industry, amid a broader trade war between the two countries.

A massive pro-Palestinian protest in Madrid disrupted the final stage of the Spanish Vuelta cycling event, forcing organizers to cut the race short on Sunday. The protest, estimated to have drawn over 100,000 people, caused clashes with police and led to the cancellation of the podium ceremony due to security concerns. Despite the disruptions, Jonas Vingegaard was confirmed as the overall winner of the three-week race. The event was marred by protests throughout its duration, largely due to the presence of an Israeli-owned team, Premier Tech, which had removed its team name from uniforms earlier in the race.

Christian Brueckner, the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, is set to be released from prison in Germany after serving a seven-year sentence for raping a 72-year-old American woman. Brueckner has refused to be interviewed by U.K. police, which is seen as a setback in the investigation into McCann's disappearance. Authorities are considering imposing supervisory oversight on Brueckner after his release, which could include monitoring his movements and restricting his travel. The case remains one of the world's most high-profile missing persons investigations, with Brueckner at the center of the inquiry since 2020.

A Colombian court has ruled that Meta acted 'arbitrarily' in shutting down the Instagram account of adult content creator Esperanza Gomez, violating her freedom of expression. The court ordered Meta to review and adjust its terms of use and privacy policy to provide clear mechanisms for users to challenge moderation decisions. The ruling is significant as it highlights the need for social media platforms to be transparent in their content moderation policies.

Two sailboats were attacked by orcas off the coast of Portugal on Saturday, prompting rescue operations. Five people were rescued from a tourist vessel near Fonte da Telha beach, and four others were rescued from a sailboat off the Bay of Cascais. No injuries were reported, and search and rescue crews responded quickly to the incidents. The attacks are part of a growing pattern of orca ambushes on seafarers in the region, with research groups documenting hundreds of interactions between orcas and sailing vessels between 2020 and 2024.

The article is a transcript of an interview with Senators Chris Coons and James Lankford on 'Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan' discussing the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk and the growing concern of political violence in the US. Both senators agree that the internet is driving extremism and that leaders have an obligation to promote civil discourse and reject political violence. They discuss the rising threats against members of Congress and the need for increased security measures. The senators also touch on the importance of protecting public figures and the judiciary from violence and harassment.

The Trump administration has designated Colombia as a country failing to cooperate in the drug war for the first time in nearly 30 years, despite decades of cooperation and billions of dollars in US aid. The decision reflects a recent surge in cocaine production and fraying ties between the White House and Colombia's leftist president, Gustavo Petro. The US has issued a waiver of sanctions, citing vital national interests, but the designation is a major rebuke to a traditional US ally and could further hamper efforts to restore security in Colombia.

The FBI has confirmed that DNA evidence links Tyler Robinson, 22, to the crime scene where right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University. Robinson was arrested and is accused of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and felony discharge of a firearm. The FBI director, Kash Patel, stated that DNA on a towel wrapped around the suspected gun and on a screwdriver found on the roof matched Robinson's DNA. A note found at Robinson's home vowed to 'take out' Kirk, and investigators are examining Robinson's social media accounts for any signs of prior knowledge or encouragement of the shooting. Vice-President JD Vance hosted a tribute episode of Kirk's daily podcast, condemning the actions and ideas that led to Kirk's death and vowing to dismantle institutions that promote violence and terrorism.

The US Senate has confirmed Stephen Miran, chair of the Council of Economic Advisers and a supporter of President Donald Trump's global tariffs, to join the Federal Reserve's board of governors. Miran's confirmation has raised concerns over the central bank's independence, as he will be the first sitting White House official to join the Fed's board in decades. The confirmation comes ahead of a key interest rate vote, with the Fed expected to approve a quarter-percentage point rate cut to support a weakening labour market. Trump's pressure on the Fed has been ongoing, with him calling for interest rate cuts and criticizing Fed chair Jerome Powell. Miran's entry is seen as part of Trump's bid to reshape the Federal Reserve.

Two Chinese teenagers were ordered to pay $309,000 for urinating in a hotpot at a Haidilao restaurant in Shanghai. The incident, which occurred in February, was recorded and posted online, sparking widespread criticism. The court found that the teenagers had infringed upon the restaurant's property rights and reputation, and ordered them to pay compensation. The teenagers' parents were also held responsible for failing to fulfill their duty of guardianship. Haidilao had offered to compensate over 4,000 diners who visited the restaurant after the incident, and had replaced all hotpot equipment and conducted cleaning and disinfection works.

Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Khyliuk was released from Russian captivity after three and a half years in a prisoner swap involving 146 Ukrainians. Khyliuk shared his harrowing experience of being detained, beaten, and held in multiple facilities without being charged with a crime. He described the constant cruelty and mistreatment he suffered, including being bitten by a guard dog and witnessing the torture of fellow prisoners. Khyliuk's release was met with celebrations in Ukraine, but many families are still waiting for news of their loved ones who remain in Russian captivity. Ukraine's human rights ombudsman highlighted the challenges of negotiating prisoner swaps with Russia, citing the lack of a legal mechanism to return civilians.

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to sue the New York Times for $15 billion, alleging defamation and libel. Trump criticized the newspaper for endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election and accused it of becoming a 'mouthpiece for the Radical Left Democrat Party'. The lawsuit is to be filed in Florida, a Republican stronghold. This is not Trump's first attempt to sue the New York Times; a previous $100 million lawsuit was dismissed in 2023. Trump has also lost other defamation cases against media outlets, including CNN.

The Supreme Court of India has granted relief to Vantara, a private zoo owned by the Ambani family, after a special investigation team found no evidence of 'foul play' in the acquisition of animals or their treatment. The team, comprising retired judges, was set up to investigate allegations of unlawful acquisition and mistreatment of animals at the zoo. Vantara, spread over 3,500 acres in Gujarat, is home to 2,000 species, including elephants and tigers. The zoo has faced criticism from wildlife activists and conservationists due to its location in a hot and dry region, deemed unsuitable for some animals. The court's decision comes after a series of controversies surrounding the zoo, including the relocation of an ailing elephant from a temple in Kolhapur.

China's bond market is expected to continue its downturn as investors seek riskier assets and better returns amid low interest rates and sluggish economic data. The shift from bonds to stocks is driven by the potential for greater returns, with the CSI 300 Index rising 17% over the past three months. Analysts predict that sentiment in the bond market will remain weak, with little chance of substantial recovery. The current turmoil follows a significant bull run in the bond market last year, which was reversed when Beijing implemented measures to combat deflation. The yield on the 10-year government bond has risen to a five-month high, and institutional redemptions of bonds are expected to continue.

Hong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu, announced that the government will explore administrative measures to protect the rights of same-sex couples after the legislature rejected a bill to recognize same-sex partnerships. Lee defended the Legislative Council, stating that the rejection of the bill showed it was not a 'rubber stamp' as some had suggested. The bill's defeat marked the first time a government bill had failed to pass since Beijing overhauled the city's electoral system. Lee emphasized that the Basic Law only recognizes heterosexual marriage and that this principle would not change. The government will now consider alternative measures to address the rights of same-sex couples in line with a 2023 landmark court ruling.

The article discusses how Chinese missile names, such as the Dongfeng and Julang series, are inspired by quotes and poetry from Mao Zedong, the founding father of the People's Republic of China. The names are often drawn from Mao's speeches and writings, reflecting the communist ideology and symbolism of the time. The article highlights the significance of these names in the context of China's military modernization and the display of its newest weaponry during a recent military parade in Beijing.

Taiwan is set to receive a large shipment of US arms, including M1A2T Abrams tanks and MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, worth nearly $22 billion, which have been delayed for years. The delivery will significantly boost Taiwan's defense capacity amid increasing threats from Beijing. The arms sales package has been delayed due to production and testing bottlenecks, with some items, such as the AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapon, taking nine years from approval to arrival. Despite the delays, Taiwan's defense ministry is confident that the remaining items, including 66 F-16V Block 70 fighter jets, will be delivered by the end of 2026.

A Chinese satellite, Jilin-1, has observed and captured images of a US satellite, WorldView Legion, which was monitoring China's space station. This move is seen as a strategic tit-for-tat in the increasingly contested space domain. The incident follows a similar event in July when Maxar Intelligence published images of China's Shijian-26 satellite taken by WorldView Legion.

The article discusses the unforced errors made by top officials in Donald Trump's administration, including FBI Director Kash Patel, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Attorney General Pam Bondi. Patel has faced criticism for his handling of the manhunt for Charlie Kirk's assassin, including posting misleading information on social media. Other officials have also made mistakes, such as Hegseth sharing sensitive attack plans on a commercial messaging app and Kennedy stirring up controversy over vaccines. Gabbard has created problems for the White House with her comments on Iran, and Bondi has faced backlash for her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Despite these errors, Trump has publicly stood by most of these officials.

The article introduces Sister Albertine Debacker, a 29-year-old Catholic nun who has gained a large following on social media, sharing her faith and daily life with over 500,000 followers. She is part of a wider trend in France where the Catholic Church is experiencing a revival among Gen Z, partly fueled by social media. The article highlights Sister Albertine's unique approach to sharing her faith online and her conversation with CNN's Joseph Ataman at a youth festival in France.

US Vice President JD Vance hosted an episode of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk's show following Kirk's assassination. Notable guests on the show included Tucker Carlson, RFK Jr., and Karoline Leavitt. The episode aired on a platform associated with CNN, which is known for its political coverage.

The Trump administration has ordered the removal of information on slavery from national parks and institutions like the National Gallery of Art, including a historic photograph titled 'The Scourged Back' that shows the scars on the back of a formerly enslaved man. This move is part of a broader effort to remove what the administration considers 'corrosive ideology' from national spaces.

OpenAI has hired Mike Liberatore, the former finance chief at Elon Musk's xAI, as its new business finance officer. Liberatore will oversee OpenAI's massive infrastructure spending and report to CFO Sarah Friar. The hiring is the latest development in an escalating feud between OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but have since become bitter rivals. Musk has sued Altman and OpenAI for breach of contract and has tried to thwart the company's restructuring efforts. OpenAI has been increasing its compute commitments, including a $300 billion deal with Oracle, and has been valued by investors at $500 billion.

The Trump administration has ordered Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico to dissolve their joint venture by January 1, citing anticompetitive effects in the US-Mexico City markets. The joint venture, which began in 2016, allowed the airlines to coordinate schedules, pricing, and capacity for flights between the two countries. Both airlines expressed disappointment with the decision and are reviewing the order before considering next steps. The move is part of a long-standing dispute between the US and Mexico over competition in the airline industry. The order does not affect Delta's 20% equity stake in Aeromexico. The airlines had argued that the partnership generated $310 million for the US economy and that unwinding it would lead to a loss in economic benefits.

U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a $15 billion defamation and libel lawsuit against The New York Times, alleging the newspaper made false statements about him, his family, and business. The lawsuit was filed in Florida and is the latest in a series of defamation suits Trump has brought against media companies, including The Wall Street Journal, ABC News, and Paramount. Trump accused The New York Times of being a 'mouthpiece' for the Democratic Party and claimed it had 'freely lied, smeared, and defamed' him. The lawsuit appears to be related to the newspaper's reporting on a note allegedly written by Trump to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The White House has denied Trump's involvement in the creation of the note, calling it a fabrication. The New York Times has not commented on the lawsuit.

Conor McGregor, the former MMA fighter, has announced his withdrawal from the Irish presidential race. McGregor had expressed his intention to run for the presidency last year but was required to be nominated by either 20 members of the Irish parliament or four local authorities. He claimed that Ireland's constitution is outdated and prevents a true democratic presidential election. Despite withdrawing, McGregor stated that this is not the end of his political journey and he will continue to serve the Irish people on the global stage.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed frustration with Western powers, particularly the United States under Donald Trump, for not doing enough to pressure Russia to end the war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy believes that Trump's approach of waiting for European countries to take action before imposing sanctions on Russia is misguided and that the US should take a stronger stance on its own. He argues that Vladimir Putin understands only force and that the US has the power to stop him.

Australia gifted Papua New Guinea an extension to its Parliament House as the South Pacific island nation celebrated 50 years of independence. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the flag-raising ceremony at Independence Hill in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea's capital. The gift is a symbol of Australia's support for Papua New Guinea's development and marks a significant milestone in their bilateral relations.

The article discusses the dire situation in Haiti as gangs continue to wreak havoc, particularly in the capital Port-au-Prince. It focuses on the story of two sisters, Naika and Erica Lafleur, who return to their former neighborhood to assess the damage after their family fled due to gang violence. The article highlights the complex situation where some displaced individuals are being welcomed back by gangs, while authorities warn of the dangers of returning. The situation is portrayed as increasingly desperate, with a significant impact on civilians, especially children.

The article discusses the persecution of Christians in Sudan amidst the country's two-year civil war. Christians, making up about 4% of Sudan's population, face double hardship due to the war and specific persecution by both the government and rebel forces. Many have been forced to flee their homes, and some have been subjected to violence, forced conversion, and denial of aid unless they renounce their faith. The situation is particularly dire in besieged cities like El Fasher, where Christians are struggling to survive. The international community, including the United States, is urged to take action to protect religious freedom in Sudan.

Malaysia's train travel is experiencing a resurgence, driven by improved services and infrastructure. The Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) train service, which connects rural areas to cities, has seen a significant increase in ridership. The Komuter Utara service, launched in 2015, has benefited commuters in northern Malaysia. The East Coast Railway Line, also known as the 'Jungle Railway', offers a scenic route through Malaysia's interior. The government plans to improve infrastructure and public connectivity under the 13th Malaysia Plan. The rail network is expected to boost economic growth and regional mobility.