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?
Diplomatic moves on Russia-Ukraine war
NRTC WEEKLY learnt that high-stakes diplomatic manoeuvres dominated the narrative this week surrounding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy travelled to the White House and met with U.S.
President Donald Trump, primarily to press for increased military support, particularly the provision of Tomahawk long-range missiles. Zelenskyy viewed the request as crucial to giving Kyiv an edge in targeting Russian assets deep behind the front lines.
Following the talks, Trump expressed a desire for a swift resolution, publicly stating that both Ukraine and Russia should “stop where they are and end the war.”
His stance immediately sparked debate over the future direction of U.S. policy and its willingness to provide the advanced weaponry Ukraine sought.The push for peace grew more complicated after Trump announced plans for an upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war.
The proposed summit drew praise from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a known ally of both leaders, who called it “great news.”
However, critics remained sceptical of any immediate breakthrough, given Russia’s entrenched positions and Washington’s reluctance to fully commit to supplying Tomahawk missiles, which could further escalate the conflict.
Prince Andrew relinquished royal titles
The long-running public controversy surrounding Prince Andrew, Duke of York, reached a conclusion this week as he formally relinquished his remaining royal titles, NRTC WEEKLY gathered.
Buckingham Palace announced the decision, marking the final step in the Prince’s complete withdrawal from official royal duties and public life.The move followed years of intense scrutiny over his association with the late convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The scandal, which severely damaged the Monarchy’s image, had previously seen Andrew stripped of his military affiliations and the use of his “His Royal Highness” title.
By giving up his final title, the Royal Family signalled a decisive effort to permanently distance itself from the controversy and mitigate further reputational damage.
Although the announcement resolved the issue of titles, it did not erase the controversy, which continued to shape the Prince’s public perception.
Developments in the Gaza ceasefire, hostage crisis
NRTC WEEKLY gathered that developments surrounding the Gaza ceasefire and the exchange of remains and prisoners dominated international attention this week.
The fragile truce, negotiated to halt hostilities and allow humanitarian aid, faced renewed tests during the sensitive process of recovering those killed in the conflict.
Israel identified the remains of the tenth hostage recovered from the enclave since the temporary halt in fighting began. However, the process encountered complications when Hamas handed over a body later determined not to belong to a hostage, highlighting the emotional and logistical challenges of the exchange.
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As progress slowed, attention shifted to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Aid agencies struggled to deliver adequate supplies to nearly two million displaced residents. Although the truce allowed limited aid convoys to enter, agencies stressed that deliveries remained critically insufficient to avert a broader catastrophe, including famine.
Tensions in the region remained high, with both sides trading accusations and the ceasefire’s long-term viability remaining in doubt.
Violence, political unrest in Kenya
Kenya descended into violence and political turmoil this week following the death of veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, NRTC WEEKLY learnt.
The mourning period turned tragic when Kenyan security forces opened fire on a massive crowd of mourners, killing at least four people as thousands gathered in Nairobi for a public viewing of the former prime minister’s body.
The chaotic scenes at the stadium underscored the deep divisions and volatile polarisation that defined Kenyan politics. Odinga, who died at 80, stood as a towering yet divisive figure and led the country’s opposition movement for decades.
His death created a significant void in Kenya’s political landscape and raised questions about the nation’s future direction and stability. Authorities faced immediate criticism for their handling of the crowd, with the incident casting a shadow over the country’s farewell to one of its most consequential political figures.
U.S. actions near Venezuela, John Bolton indictment
NRTC WEEKLY gathered that the United States intensified its operations near Venezuela this week, drawing global attention through both military and legal developments. The U.S. military confirmed conducting multiple strikes on suspected drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean Sea, operations that led to the seizure of survivors.
These strikes formed part of a broader and more assertive posture towards President Nicolás Maduro’s administration, further reinforced by President Trump’s announcement that he had authorised the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela. Trump stated that Maduro had agreed to negotiate concessions to ease tensions.
Meanwhile, in a separate but related development, former National Security Advisor John Bolton faced indictment on federal charges over the mishandling of national security documents and retaining classified information after leaving office.
The indictment of such a high-profile figure, once central to U.S. foreign policy, added a new layer of complexity to the national security discourse and drew international scrutiny to accountability within the American government.
Here, the cotton of this week’s episode of NRTC WEEKLY will drop. Join us for another edition next week as we take you around the trending stories in Nigeria.
