NRTC WEEKLY: Top 5 stories from around the world you may have missed

It’s another edition of NRTC WEEKLY Roundup —in this week’s edition, we are focusing on five trending stories across the globe due to a fast-paced world where headlines change by the hour.

While it’s easy to miss some of the biggest global developments, our roundup, as usual, will cut across the top five beats in our media organisation, NRTC [your one-stop hub for rich and reliable content covering entertainment, sports, politics, metro, and leading stories].

Why not scroll down and treat yourself?

Metro: Assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk stunned nation

NRTC WEEKLY learnt that the United States reeled from the assassination of prominent conservative activist and podcast host Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot by gunmen while he spoke at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.

The incident, which sent shockwaves through the political landscape, ended a 33-hour manhunt when authorities arrested suspect Tyler Robinson.

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The assassination fuelled intense national debates about gun violence and escalating political polarisation. In the aftermath, the rapid spread of false information by AI chatbots and social media raised major concerns.

Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, publicly addressed the tragedy and pledged to continue her husband’s work.

His influential organisation and media platform began searching for a new leader, as many questioned the future of the movement he founded.

Politicians across party lines condemned the assassination as an act of political violence and called for de-escalation.

Politics: Nepal appointed first female PM as Gen Z-led protests subsided

NRTC WEEKLY gathered that Nepal appointed its first female Prime Minister, Sushila Karki, in direct response to widespread and deadly protests that rocked the country for a week.

The unrest, which claimed at least 19 lives, began after the government banned social media but quickly evolved into a broader youth-led movement against corruption and political elites.

Protest leaders nominated Karki, a former chief justice, marking a historic breakthrough. Following her appointment, the government lifted a curfew and daily life gradually returned to normal.

The transition marked a victory for Nepal’s Generation Z, who organised the nationwide uprising through online platforms, forcing a change in leadership and pushing for transparent governance.

Metro: Israel-Gaza conflict intensified amid rising civilian casualties

The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated sharply after an Israeli military strike in Gaza City reportedly killed 50 Palestinians, NRTC WEEKLY learnt.

The strike followed a controversial Israeli operation in Qatar targeting Hamas leaders, which strained diplomatic relations worldwide. The United Nations expressed grave concern over the “horrific toll” on civilians, particularly children.

A new UN report documented more than 200,000 casualties in Gaza, underscoring the scale of the humanitarian crisis.

Both sides intensified military actions as peace talks faltered, signalling a dangerous new phase in the conflict. International pressure mounted for a ceasefire while Gaza’s humanitarian situation deteriorated further.

Leading stories: Russian drone incursion into Poland raised NATO tensions

Tensions between Russia and NATO spiked after Russian drones illegally entered Polish airspace, forcing an emergency UN Security Council meeting, NRTC WEEKLY gathered.

Poland condemned the incident as a “flagrant violation,” heightening global fears that the war in Ukraine could spill into direct conflict with NATO. In response, Poland deployed troops to its border to monitor military drills by Belarus, Russia’s ally.

Although Moscow denied targeting Polish territory, the incursion raised doubts about NATO’s readiness to defend its borders.

Observers viewed the action as a deliberate test of the alliance’s resolve and a significant escalation in the regional conflict.

Business: France faced economic uncertainty after credit rating downgrade

NRTC WEEKLY gathered that France’s political and economic stability came under scrutiny after a major agency downgraded its sovereign credit rating.

The downgrade, which signalled eroding confidence in France’s economic management, coincided with political turmoil and rising national debt.

A failed confidence vote forced the prime minister to resign, leading to Sébastien Lecornu’s appointment as his successor.

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The downgrade complicated government efforts to fix the fiscal situation and introduce reforms.

It also raised borrowing costs, leaving Lecornu to navigate a divided parliament to pass a budget that could restore confidence in France’s economic future.

That’s all for this week on NRTC WEEKLY. Stay tuned and join us again for another exciting edition next week!