ACTORS

The arms embargo on Darfur expires on Saturday and would have to be extended by the UN Security Council. The German daily taz highlights the risk of the embargo lapsing amid ongoing fighting in Sudan involving the Rapid Support Forces, with debate touching on the United Arab Emirates, Libya, Colombia and other actors allegedly linked to arms flows.

British authorities are investigating whether Iran or Russia played a role in a foiled attack near a military base used by US forces in the UK. The probe is examining possible foreign involvement after the plot was disrupted before anyone was harmed. Officials have not confirmed which country, if either, is suspected, and details of the alleged plot remain limited as the investigation continues.

British authorities have arrested five suspects described as British nationals after explosives were discovered near a US-run air base. Iranian officials deny any role in the case. The arrests raise questions about the suspects' motives and whether the plot was linked to any state actor, with investigations ongoing.

Five men arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on suspicion of offences under the UK's Explosives Act have now been additionally charged with plotting to commit a terrorist act, according to the BBC. The update came after a police press conference. Authorities have not said whether any state or non-state actor was involved, and the reported charge of intent to carry out an attack at or near the airbase is drawing wide attention.

The UN envoy for Sudan has stressed the need for sustained diplomacy to resolve the country's devastating conflict, calling on international and regional actors to keep pushing for a political settlement. The appeal comes as fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces continues to drive displacement and worsen the humanitarian crisis across Sudan.

An analyst told French broadcaster RFI that Washington has alienated the Sudanese army in what he described as a complex war. The comment highlights growing friction between the United States and Sudan's military leadership as the conflict, which began in April 2023 between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, drags on. Other outlets, including Modern Ghana, have picked up the remarks, underscoring debate over whether US diplomacy in Sudan has undermined a key actor in any future settlement.

A new analysis from the Peace Research Institute Oslo examines how Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy could move beyond managing humanitarian emergencies toward a credible political horizon. The piece frames the Gaza crisis as inseparable from longer-term questions of regional diplomacy, arguing that relief efforts alone cannot substitute for a political settlement. It is drawing attention amid ongoing debates over how regional and international actors should shape a durable peace process.

Bill Gates warns that reaching a global framework for artificial intelligence will be more difficult than the arms control negotiations of the Cold War era. He argues AI development is moving faster and involves a wider range of actors than nuclear programs did, making international agreement on oversight and safety harder to achieve.

A dispute over US visas has drawn fresh attention to Sudan's war, which critics say has been largely forgotten by the international community. The conflict has also become an arena where foreign powers are competing for strategic influence in the Red Sea region and beyond.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says a 'foreign actor' was involved in an alleged terror plot targeting a British military base that is also used by American forces. The claim adds a geopolitical dimension to the investigation, as officials have not publicly identified the country or actor suspected of involvement.

NPR reports that Turkey is positioning itself as a leading power in the Middle East as regional dynamics shift. The piece examines Ankara's efforts to expand its diplomatic and political influence amid changing alliances and conflicts in the region, framing Turkey as an increasingly prominent actor seeking to shape the Middle East's future order.

Reports say Sam Neill, the New Zealand-born actor best known for playing Dr Alan Grant in 'Jurassic Park', has died at the age of 78. The claim is circulating from news coverage, though no further details about the circumstances or official confirmation were included in the available reports.

The Board of Peace has stated that its policy regarding UNRWA's role in Gaza remains unchanged, according to Middle East Monitor. The announcement comes amid ongoing international debate over the UN agency's operations in the Palestinian territories, where Israel has moved to restrict UNRWA's activities. The statement signals continuity in how the body approaches humanitarian coordination in Gaza despite shifting political circumstances.

The UK defense secretary has warned that British military bases could be potential targets for state-backed actors. The statement highlights growing concerns in London about hostile foreign activity against defense infrastructure. It comes amid heightened scrutiny of espionage, sabotage and cyber threats attributed to hostile states, and is likely to fuel debate over the security of military sites across the country.

Actor Adam Brody, who is Jewish, has described Israel's actions in Gaza as 'genocide', according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. His comments add a prominent Jewish voice in Hollywood to the growing number of public figures criticising Israel's conduct of the war, and are likely to fuel ongoing debate over the language used to describe the conflict.

A high-profile Japanese anime voice actor has taken TikTok to court, alleging the platform hosted videos featuring an artificial intelligence clone of his voice without his consent. The case highlights growing tension between voice performers and AI companies over unauthorised replication of their voices, and could set a precedent for how Japanese law treats voice rights in the age of generative AI.

American actor Adam Brody, known for 'The O.C.' and 'Nobody Wants This', has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, according to The Jerusalem Post. His comments stand out given his Jewish identity, and the accusation has drawn attention amid ongoing international debate over Israel's conduct in the Gaza war.

Autonomous AI agents have been used to carry out hacks, prompting debate over who should be held legally accountable when artificial intelligence systems act independently. Legal experts and commentators are wrestling with whether responsibility lies with developers, operators or the systems themselves, as existing laws were written for human actors. The debate highlights a growing gap between rapidly advancing AI capabilities and the legal frameworks meant to govern them.

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Jaime Winstone has spoken about how her father, actor Ray Winstone, reacted after she found herself in the dance-off. The actress said her famous dad was supportive following the stressful episode. Interest in the Winstone family is currently high in the UK as viewers follow Jaime's progress through the competition and react to her comments.

A false rumor claiming Jackie Chan has died is circulating widely, prompting many people to search whether the actor is alive. The 71-year-old Hong Kong star is alive, and news outlets including the Hindustan Times have published fact-checks debunking the hoax. It is the latest in a long series of celebrity death hoaxes targeting Chan, who remains active in film.

Defense contractors in Arizona are reporting a business boost as demand grows for low-cost drones in the conflict with Iran. The inexpensive drone technology is reshaping how the conflict is fought, driving orders and interest in Arizona's defense manufacturing sector.

Politico reports that an unexpected figure has become influential in the growing battle over solar projects on agricultural land. Conflicts between renewable energy developers and farmers over land use continue to intensify across the United States, and new players are shaping how these disputes play out at the state and local levels.

The Guardian has published a letter responding to its obituary of Tim Curry, the British actor best known for The Rocky Horror Picture Show and his stage and screen career. The letter, printed in the paper's correspondence section, offers readers' reflections on his life and work following his death.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Tamil actor-politician Thalapathy Vijay are being discussed as a potential alliance that could win around 120 seats for the INDIA bloc across South India in the 2029 general election. Vijay's new party has energised Tamil Nadu politics, and supporters are speculating about a broader opposition tie-up combining his mass appeal with Gandhi's national network.

Six people, including veteran Singaporean actors Lim Kay Siu and Neo Swee Lin, are to be charged for taking part in public assemblies without a permit, including gatherings outside Changi Prison and the State Courts. Several of those charged are described as repeat offenders who ignored prior convictions and warnings. Activist journalist Kirsten Han is also being discussed in connection with the case.

Actor Dennis Haskins, best known for playing Principal Richard Belding on the NBC sitcom 'Saved by the Bell,' has died. Haskins played the affable school principal across the show's late-1980s and early-1990s run and its spin-offs, making him a familiar figure to a generation of viewers. Details about his age, cause of death, and when he passed have not been included in initial reports, and fans have begun remembering his most famous role.

Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu is drawing attention, with discussion in Telugu media asking whether he will "settle the remaining scores" this time, a reference to expectations around his next film's performance. Fans and commentators are weighing in on whether the actor can deliver a major success and live up to the high hopes surrounding his upcoming release.

Tamil Nadu politics is in focus as actor-turned-politician Vijay's party TVK campaigns in a state by-election, with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, his son Udhayanidhi Stalin and AIADMK leader EPS also featuring in coverage by Tamil news outlet Polimer News. The contest is being watched as an early test of Vijay's electoral appeal against the established Dravidian parties ahead of future state elections.

Counting in the Tamil Nadu by-elections for Maduranthakam and Dharapuram has produced a result in Maduranthakam, with the DMK-led alliance declared the winner. The polls were the first electoral test since actor Vijay's TVK entered politics, and attention focused on whether the new party would cut into the traditional Dravidian rivals' vote share.