Author: Michael Johnes

OpenAI Made $1b Deal to Add Disney Characters to ChatGPT & Sora

Disney will invest $1 billion (£740 million) in OpenAI. This deal lets people use many of Disney’s famous characters in the chatbot ChatGPT and the video tool Sora. Disney is the first major studio to license parts of its collection to OpenAI. This decision could greatly affect Disney’s future plans.

Fans will now be able to create and share images and videos featuring over 200 characters from Disney’s franchises, which include Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. This news comes as OpenAI faces growing questions about how it uses its advanced technology. There is also increasing concern in Hollywood about the impact of AI on creative work.

A blog post about the deal mentions that fans can use characters from movies like Zootopia, Moana, and Encanto, as well as characters such as Luke Skywalker from Star Wars and Deadpool from Marvel.

The agreement also includes beloved characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Disney has agreed to work with OpenAI, but it is unclear how the characters will sound, as the deal does not involve any likenesses or voices of the actors.

Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, said that the advancement of artificial intelligence is significant for the industry. He added that this partnership with OpenAI will help extend their storytelling in a thoughtful and responsible way.

People are expected to start creating videos and images using Sora and ChatGPT in early 2026. This deal comes after Disney’s lawyers sent Google a cease-and-desist letter on Wednesday. The letter claims that Google has violated Disney’s copyrights on a large scale.

Joel Smith, an intellectual property lawyer at Simmons & Simmons, pointed out that Disney’s deal shows that rights owners and major AI developers are quickly forming deals to allow access to content for training and future use.

Concerns Regarding Content

Sora’s realistic videos are popular in the U.S., but they have faced criticism. Some people are using this technology to create harmful deepfakes of deceased public figures.

In October, OpenAI stopped its video tool from making images of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. because it produced disrespectful videos of him. The company recognized the need for better protections after clips showed him saying offensive things, which upset the public.

Videos of other figures, like President John F. Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth II, and physicist Stephen Hawking, have also circulated widely. Some family members have asked OpenAI to stop allowing these videos.

Zelda Williams, the daughter of the late comedian Robin Williams, has urged people to stop sending her AI-generated videos of her father.

In November, Warner Music Group announced plans to start an AI music venture with the technology company Suno, a year after it sued the firm in a landmark case.

December 11, 2025
US Seized a Sanctioned Oil Tanker Off Venezuela – Trump

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the U.S. has taken control of an oil tanker near Venezuela. This action has raised oil prices and increased tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela.

“We have just seized a very large tanker, the largest ever, off the coast of Venezuela, and other things are happening,” Trump said. He has been calling for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down.

When asked about the oil, Trump replied, “We keep it, I guess.”

This is the first known action against an oil tanker since Trump ordered a military buildup in the region. He has often suggested U.S. military intervention in Venezuela. Meanwhile, the U.S. has targeted vessels suspected of drug trafficking, which has raised concerns among lawmakers and legal experts.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X that the FBI, Homeland Security, and the Coast Guard, with help from the U.S. military, executed a seizure warrant for the tanker carrying oil from Venezuela and Iran that was under sanctions.

Bondi also shared a 45-second video showing two helicopters approaching the tanker, with armed individuals in camouflage descending onto it.

The Trump administration did not reveal the name of a seized vessel. However, a British maritime group called Vanguard reported that a tanker named Skipper was believed to have been taken near Venezuela early on Wednesday. The U.S. has placed sanctions on this tanker because of its alleged involvement in trading Iranian oil when it was known as the Adisa.

The Skipper left Venezuela’s main oil port, Jose, between December 4 and 5 after loading about 1.1 million barrels of heavy crude oil called Merey, according to satellite data from TankerTrackers.com and information from the Venezuelan state oil company, PDVSA.

Oil prices went up after the news of the seizure. After starting off low, Brent crude futures rose by 27 cents (0.4%) to settle at $62.21 per barrel. At the same time, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 21 cents (0.4%) to close at $58.46 per barrel.

On Wednesday, President Maduro spoke at a march to honor a military battle but did not talk about the tanker’s seizure.

Impact on Oil Prices

Venezuela exported over 900,000 barrels of oil per day last month, making it the third-highest monthly average this year. PDVSA brought in more naphtha to mix with its extra-heavy oil output. While the U.S. has increased pressure on Maduro, it has not disrupted oil shipments.

Venezuela has to sell its crude oil at lower prices to China because of rising competition from sanctioned oil from Russia and Iran.

“This situation is another challenge from geopolitical issues and sanctions that affects the availability of oil,” said Rory Johnston, an analyst with Commodity Context.

“Seizing this tanker raises immediate supply concerns, but it doesn’t change the overall situation because those barrels were already scheduled to be shipped,” Johnston added.

Chevron, which works with PDVSA, stated that its operations in Venezuela are running smoothly. Last month, the company increased crude oil exports to the U.S. to about 150,000 barrels per day, up from 128,000 barrels per day in October.

Rising Pressure on Maduro

Maduro claims that the U.S. military buildup aims to overthrow him and take control of Venezuela’s oil reserves.

Since early September, the Trump administration has carried out more than 20 strikes against suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing over 80 people.

Experts say these strikes might be illegal because there is little public evidence showing that the boats were carrying drugs. They argue it was not necessary to blow up the boats instead of stopping them, seizing their cargo, and questioning the crews.

Concerns grew this month after reports that the commander leading the operation ordered a second strike that resulted in the deaths of two survivors.

A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that many Americans, including about one-fifth of Trump’s Republican supporters, oppose the military’s campaign of deadly strikes on these boats.

In a strategy document released last week, Trump stated that his administration’s foreign policy would focus on reasserting U.S. power in the Western Hemisphere.

December 11, 2025
Microsoft and Amazon are Investing Heavily in AI in India

Amazon and Microsoft have announced a plan to invest a total of $52.5 billion (£39.4 billion) in India over the coming years.

Amazon will invest $35 billion by 2030 to support AI-driven digital technology, boost exports, and create jobs. This announcement follows Microsoft’s commitment of $17.5 billion to strengthen India’s AI development.

India is becoming a center for AI and cloud technology, attracting many global tech investments. In October, Google said it would invest $15 billion to create an AI data hub. Earlier this week, Intel announced it will work with Tata Electronics in Mumbai, which is part of Tata’s $14 billion plan for semiconductor manufacturing.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, “When it comes to AI, the world is optimistic about India,” in a post on X after meeting Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Tuesday.

Amazon’s investment of $35 billion will build on the $40 billion it has already invested in India, establishing the company as “the largest foreign investor” in the country, according to a company statement.

A significant portion of this new investment will be directed toward developing local cloud and AI infrastructure.

HyperScale Cloud Region

Microsoft’s recent commitment follows a $3 billion investment announced by the company earlier this year.

This investment includes the establishment of a new “hyperscale cloud region,” a cluster of data centers, in Hyderabad, southern India, which is set to go live in mid-2026, the company stated.

Data centers are centralized physical facilities that host computer servers, IT infrastructure, and network equipment. They are a crucial part of the AI value chain that India is focusing on, despite concerns regarding water shortages.

Additionally, India will gain access to Microsoft’s “sovereign public cloud,” which provides tools to help organizations manage their data and applications while ensuring that sensitive information remains within the country.

Microsoft is investing $23 billion in AI projects around the world, including Canada, Portugal, and the UAE. This expansion is a way for Microsoft to compete with companies like Amazon and Google.

The company plans to incorporate AI into Indian government platforms to help about 310 million informal workers.

These announcements come as India increases its efforts in semiconductor manufacturing. Both state and private projects aim to build a domestic chip-making industry.

India has a large market for AI, with over a billion internet users and plenty of tech talent. However, it still falls behind leaders like China and the US.

Despite this, India is attracting billions in investments for essential computing technologies like chips. The government’s semiconductor mission offers generous subsidies to companies that create chip-making facilities.

India will also reveal its own AI model in February of next year.

December 10, 2025
Zelensky Warns Russia, China are Increasing Military Cooperation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that China is working to strengthen its cooperation with Russia, especially in military production. This comes as their relationship deepens since Russia invaded Ukraine.

On social media, Zelensky shared a report from the head of Ukraine’s foreign intelligence agency. The report highlights that Russia relies on Chinese investment, technology, and political support.

Zelensky mentioned that intelligence partners have also seen the increased cooperation between China and Russia in the military sector. He has directed Ukraine’s foreign intelligence service to watch this cooperation closely, focusing on how it affects Ukraine and its Western allies.

“Global security must not be put at risk, as Russia’s desire for aggression continues,” he said.

The report highlights that parts of Russian territory are becoming less independent as they increasingly favor Beijing. This is happening mainly through the use of resource-rich land and the sale of valuable resources to China.

Despite Western pressure, China has grown closer to Russia since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

China claims to be neutral in the conflict and has kept a low profile during global efforts to negotiate peace. However, many have urged China to use its influence over Moscow. Russia relies heavily on China to lessen the impact of Western sanctions.

In September, leaders from China and Russia discussed their idea for a new international order at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. Last month, during a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Chinese President Xi Jinping promised to increase investment and strengthen economic ties between their countries. He called this closer relationship a “shared strategic choice.”

Xi mentioned several areas where they could work together, including aerospace, energy, agriculture, and the digital economy.

Coalition of the Willing to Meet

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Ukrainian officials will soon share their latest proposals to end the war with U.S. negotiators. This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for a settlement.

Zelensky will discuss these negotiations in a video call on Thursday with leaders from about 30 of Ukraine’s allies, part of the “Coalition of the Willing,” led by France and the United Kingdom. The French presidency confirmed that the call will happen.

Ukraine’s European allies support President Zelensky’s goal of reaching a fair peace agreement that will stop future Russian attacks in Europe. They are concerned that Trump’s push for a quick deal could lead to an agreement that helps Russia.

In response to Trump’s comments suggesting that Zelensky is using the war to avoid elections, Zelensky said Ukraine could hold a vote within three months if its partners guarantee safety during wartime and adjust the electoral law.

“To hold elections, we must answer two main questions: First, how can we ensure security during the elections while facing attacks, and how will our military vote?” Zelensky explained.

“The second question is the legal framework needed to make sure the elections are legitimate,” he noted, pointing out that elections cannot happen during martial law.

Hospital Shelled in Russian-Controlled Kherson

Fighting continues in the war as peace talks go on.

In the southern Kherson region of Ukraine, controlled by Russia, Ukrainian shelling has killed three hospital workers and injured two others. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed governor, shared this information on Telegram. One of the injured workers is in intensive care.

Separately, Russian drones attacked the gas transport system in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, reported Deputy Energy Minister Mykola Kolisnyk. Heavy fighting is also happening in Pokrovsk, in the eastern Donbas region, where Ukraine’s military is defending against a Russian mechanized attack.

December 10, 2025
Trump Allowed the Sale of Powerful Nvidia H200 Chips to China

US President Donald Trump has approved the sale of Nvidia’s H200 chip to China. This decision reduces the export controls that the U.S. has placed on Chinese technology.

On Monday, Trump told Chinese President Xi Jinping about this decision. Under this plan, 25 percent of the sales revenue will go to the U.S. government. Trump said that sales would only be allowed to “approved customers” and would include measures to protect national security. He stated his administration would take the same approach with other chipmakers like AMD and Intel.

“This policy will support American jobs, strengthen U.S. manufacturing, and benefit American taxpayers,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Nvidia, based in Santa Clara, California, said the decision strikes a “thoughtful balance” and will help support high-paying jobs and manufacturing in America.

Nvidia shares increased by over 2 percent after hours due to recent news.

Significant Policy Change from the Biden Administration

Former President Donald Trump announced a significant change from the Biden administration’s policy. Biden’s government had limited Nvidia and other chipmakers to selling downgraded versions of their products for the Chinese market.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized Biden’s approach. He said it made U.S. tech companies spend billions on downgraded products that “nobody wanted.”

The H200, released in 2023, is Nvidia’s strongest chip outside of the latest Blackwell series. Trump confirmed that the Blackwell series will still be restricted for the Chinese market.

Although the H200 is not the most advanced chip, it is almost six times more powerful than the previous H20 chip, according to the Institute for Progress, a non-partisan think tank based in Washington.

In August, the Trump administration announced an agreement with Nvidia. Nvidia will pay the US government 15 percent of the money it makes from selling the H20, a product made to meet restrictions on the Chinese market.

Tilly Zhang, a Chinese tech expert at Gavekal Dragonomics, said Trump’s decision shows the realities of the market and strong pressure from Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang.

According to Zhang, the focus is now on competing for market share instead of just blocking China’s tech progress. She mentioned that since blocking China’s technology growth is getting harder, the US is now prioritizing increasing market share and revenue.

Zhang said this change signals a shift in the competition between China and the US in artificial intelligence. She believes that chipmakers in both countries may innovate faster, which could lead to more dynamic markets.

Democratic lawmakers quickly criticized Trump’s announcement.

Trump Administration Harmed US Security – Elizabeth Warren

US Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts accused the Trump administration of harming US security.

“Trump is allowing Nvidia to export advanced AI chips that his own Department of Justice has said are being illegally smuggled into China,” Warren stated on X. She referred to several investigations by the DOJ into illegal chip shipments.

“His own DOJ called these chips ‘building blocks of AI superiority.’”

Chris McGuire, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said that Trump’s recent decision is a setback for the U.S. in its competition with China to lead in artificial intelligence (AI).

He noted that easing export controls on AI chips will help Chinese AI companies catch up to advanced U.S. AI models. It will also allow Chinese cloud computing firms to set up competitive data centers around the world. McGuire, who worked on tech policy in Biden’s White House, shared these thoughts with Al Jazeera.

He warned that this could undermine the administration’s efforts to keep the U.S. AI technology in a leading position globally.

December 9, 2025
Trump will Engage in Sudan Peace Efforts During Ongoing Civil War – Rubio

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that President Donald Trump is personally overseeing efforts to end the war in Sudan, which is now in its third year and has caused severe suffering for the civilian population. During a cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Rubio emphasized that Trump is “the only leader in the world capable of resolving the Sudan crisis.”

Last month, Trump announced plans for the U.S. to collaborate with other members of the Quad, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, along with additional regional partners, to put an end to the brutal 30-month conflict.

At a conference in the U.S., Trump said that the Saudi prince asked him for help to stop the fighting in Sudan. He called Sudan a very dangerous place and said many people there need help. Trump also said that other world leaders want him to take action to end the violence.

The civil war in Sudan began in April 2023, when the government-controlled Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) clashed with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) over control of areas, including the capital, Khartoum.

Peace negotiations have been complicated by recent advances made by the RSF. Earlier this week, the RSF claimed to have taken control of Babnusa, a key city in the central Sudanese region of West Kordofan, although the SAF disputed this claim.

Babnusa is a crucial gateway to the western Darfur region, which the RSF fully controlled last month, as well as to the entirety of western Sudan. The RSF’s assault on Babnusa builds on its momentum following the capture of the city of el-Fasher, the army’s last stronghold in Darfur, after an 18-month siege. The RSF has faced accusations of committing widespread atrocities in el-Fasher.

Recent War Efforts Violate Unilateral Ceasefire

The latest fighting appears to violate a unilateral ceasefire announced by the RSF after mediation efforts by the Quad. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) turned down the ceasefire terms suggested by the Quad, saying they favor the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) too much. The SAF also accused the RSF of continuing attacks even though they declared a truce. The SAF claims that the involvement of the United Arab Emirates in the Quad is unfair and that the proposal is meant to weaken the army.

While the UAE has been widely accused of supporting the RSF with funding and weapons, it has consistently denied any involvement.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed his concerns on Thursday about the possibility of new atrocities occurring amidst the intense fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The UN Human Rights Council has already initiated one inquiry into reported atrocities, which include systematic mass murder, rape, torture, and the forced displacement of non-Arab ethnic groups since the RSF took control of el-Fasher.

According to UN estimates, the ongoing war in Sudan has resulted in over 40,000 deaths. The reported number of affected individuals is underestimated, with the actual figure likely much higher. The UN has called this the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, as millions have been displaced and some regions are facing famine.

December 4, 2025
Amnesty Urges Probe into RSF War Crimes at Sudan Refugee Camp

Amnesty International has called for an investigation into war crimes following an assault by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a displaced persons camp in North Darfur, Sudan, earlier this year. The report describes serious crimes committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) during a large attack on the Zamzam camp. The RSF has been accused of carrying out indiscriminate killings and mass rape in its ongoing conflict with the Sudanese military government, which started in April 2023.

The attack on the camp, which is struggling with hunger, happened while the RSF was laying siege to El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. The RSF now controls the state and is moving into West Kordofan, causing millions of people to be displaced.

The attacks on the Zamzam camp – the largest facility for internally displaced persons in North Darfur – took place between April 11 and April 13. According to the report, RSF fighters deployed explosives in populated areas and randomly fired upon residential neighborhoods.

The document provides numerous accounts of deadly attacks on civilians, with witnesses describing how RSF fighters fatally shot at least 47 people who were hiding in their homes, fleeing the violence, or seeking shelter in a mosque.

“The RSF’s horrific and deliberate assault on desperate, hungry civilians in Zamzam camp once again highlights its alarming disregard for human life,” said Agnes Callamard, secretary-general of Amnesty International.

“Civilians were ruthlessly attacked and killed, robbed of essential items for their survival and livelihood, and left without any means of seeking justice.”

The assault, which included RSF fighters intentionally setting fire to homes and other buildings, as well as committing acts that may constitute rape and pillage, resulted in approximately 400,000 people fleeing the camp within just two days, according to the report.

RSF Fighter Shouting and Shooting Anywhere

The recent report accuses the Rapid Support Forces of serious violations during Sudan’s 30-month conflict. The report is based on interviews with 29 people, including witnesses, survivors, and family members of victims.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which is part of the military government, has also been accused of numerous war crimes.

Survivors of the Zamzam attack described how RSF fighters shot at people without care and set fires, forcing residents to escape. One man said that the RSF fighters were shouting and shooting in all directions, which is how many people were killed. Another person said that you could not tell where the shelling was coming from, but it was everywhere.

A woman, who serves as a volunteer for a nongovernmental organization, described an RSF fighter randomly firing from his vehicle while driving near the camp’s main market. According to Amnesty International, shooting without a specific military target may constitute indiscriminate attacks, which are serious violations of international humanitarian law.

Another eyewitness shared a harrowing account of how 15 armed men stormed his compound and fatally shot his 80-year-old brother and 30-year-old nephew. “No one is concerned about our situation,” he moaned.

No End in Sight

Amnesty International has once again criticized the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in its report for allegedly supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a claim that has been widely made.

The UAE has firmly denied providing arms or financial support to the RSF.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF have been engaged in a brutal conflict since April 2023, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of people and displacing nearly 12 million.

Efforts to negotiate a truce have made little progress. Last month, the RSF declared a unilateral ceasefire following a peace plan proposed by the “Quad,” a group of mediators that includes Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the United States.

December 3, 2025
The Trump Government Will Reinterview Refugees Admitted under Biden

The Trump administration is reinterviewing some refugees who entered the U.S. during Joe Biden’s presidency as part of a case review, according to an internal memo and a knowledgeable source.

This action is unusual for Trump’s efforts to limit immigration, as it targets some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Refugees must show that they have experienced persecution or fear persecution in their home countries. They also undergo a strict vetting process that can take years before they can enter the U.S.

Trump officials have questioned the refugee admissions program, which has usually had support from both parties. They argue that the previous administration did not adequately vet the refugees. Trump has mostly stopped refugee admissions, making a narrow exception for White South Africans.

The review and reinterview process will likely be handled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The memo, dated November 21, says this is necessary to make sure refugees do not pose a threat to national security or public safety. Between fiscal years 2021 and 2025, about 235,000 refugees entered the U.S. after going through the admissions process.

The State Department directed CNN to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for comments. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the Biden administration’s “reckless approach has weakened our immigration system and put the safety of Americans at risk. We are now taking steps to ensure that those in the U.S. truly belong here.”

U.S. Refugees Go Through Most Rigorous Checks

For many years, the U.S. has admitted more refugees than any other country, taking in millions since the Refugee Act of 1980. This program faced cuts when Donald Trump was president. He reduced the number of refugees allowed to enter the U.S. The coronavirus pandemic also stopped resettlements for a time. President Biden is working to restore the program and aims to accept 125,000 refugees each year.

Mark Hetfield, president of the refugee resettlement group HIAS, said, “Threatening refugees with losing their status is cruel. It would re-traumatize them and misuse taxpayer money.”

Jeremy Konyndyk, the president of Refugees International, said that refugees in the U.S. go through the most rigorous checks of any group of migrants. He explained that they have detailed evaluations of their status, background checks, and security screenings. “The Trump administration knows this,” he said.

Konyndyk criticized Trump for trying to resettle White South Africans, who do not qualify as refugees. He said, “It’s hard to see this as anything but an excuse to take away protections from those who truly need them.”

The planned interviews will check if refugees still meet the admission criteria once in the country. A recent memo says the agency can stop refugee status without allowing an appeal. The memo also puts a hold on pending applications for refugees looking to change their status until the director of USCIS decides otherwise.

Refugees must apply for permanent status one year after arriving in the U.S. At the UN General Assembly in September, Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau said the current asylum system is outdated and has been misused. This, he argued, has made “mass illegal migration legal.”

November 25, 2025
US Urged Sudan’s Warring Parties to Accept the Ceasefire Plan

The United States envoy has urged the warring parties in Sudan to accept his truce proposal without imposing any preconditions.

Massad Boulos, an adviser to President Donald Trump on African and Arab affairs, stated during a news conference in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday that he had presented a “comprehensive” ceasefire plan to the warring generals in Sudan, but neither side accepted it. He emphasized, “We would like them to accept the specific text that was presented to them” in its original form, referring to the commanders of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

These comments followed an announcement from RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, declaring that his paramilitary group would adhere to a unilateral “humanitarian truce” for three months.

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the commander of the Sudanese army, criticized the text proposed by the White House envoy, calling it “the worst” proposal since the vicious civil war began in April 2023.

The leader of the military government said that a plan from “the Quad,” which includes Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, would weaken the army and keep the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in place.

Al-Burhan’s rejection of the plan shows his belief that the UAE supports the RSF with military and financial help, a claim the UAE denies. In March, the UAE criticized Sudan’s attempt to file a case against it in the International Court of Justice, calling the allegations a “cynical publicity stunt.”

Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the UAE’s president, who was with Boulos on Tuesday, stated that the UAE supports efforts to end the war and condemns the “atrocities” committed by both the army and the RSF.

First Violation of Ceasefire

International organizations, satellite images, and eyewitness accounts have reported mass killings and rapes happening around el-Fasher for months. Amnesty International recently warned in a report that RSF (Rapid Support Forces) fighters are committing war crimes in el-Fasher.

Amy Pope, head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), told Al Jazeera that the main concern is getting access to people who have been cut off from humanitarian aid and services in el-Fasher. She said, “When humanitarian workers are in danger, when they are killed, shot, or detained, we cannot provide what people need to survive.”

Pope stressed that the most urgent issue is ensuring a ceasefire and creating a humanitarian corridor so that aid groups can bring help to civilians caught in the conflict.

Agnes Callamard, the secretary-general of the NGO, criticized the UAE for allegedly supporting the paramilitary forces. She said, “These atrocities are made possible by the United Arab Emirates’ support for the RSF. The UAE’s ongoing backing of the RSF fuels the cycle of violence against civilians in Sudan.”

Later, the Sudan Doctors Network NGO reported that the RSF and South Sudan’s SPLM attacked the al-Zallataya Mine in South Kordofan and kidnapped more than 150 men and children. The organization called this act a “heinous crime” and pointed out that it is the first clear break of the RSF’s supposed humanitarian truce. They said that the militias took young men and children to recruit them as future fighters, which is a war crime and goes against international humanitarian law.

November 25, 2025
Trump Designated Nicolás Maduro as a Member of a Foreign Terrorist Organization

The Trump administration is set to expand its ability to take action against Venezuela starting Monday, as the U.S. labels Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his government allies as members of a foreign terrorist organization.

This designation of “Cartel de los Soles,” a term experts believe describes corrupt government officials rather than an organized crime group, will allow President Donald Trump to impose new sanctions on Maduro’s assets and infrastructure. However, it does not clearly give permission to use lethal force, according to legal experts.

Despite this, administration officials say the designation will give the U.S. more military options for actions within Venezuela.

“Cartel de los Soles” refers to a loose network of Venezuelan military groups involved in drug trafficking. President Maduro denies any involvement in drug trafficking, and his government disputes the existence of the alleged cartel, which some experts claim does not exist in a conventional way.

This designation was announced on November 16 and comes as the U.S. military has brought together more than a dozen warships and 15,000 troops in the region under what the Pentagon calls “Operation Southern Spear.” The U.S. military has carried out boat strikes against drug traffickers, resulting in the deaths of many people.

Trump has received updates from top officials about different ways to act in Venezuela. Options include military strikes on key government or military targets and special operations raids, but doing nothing is also an option.

On Monday, General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his senior adviser, David Isom, will visit Puerto Rico. They want to thank service members for their support of missions in the Caribbean Sea.

Trump Administration to Cut Illegal Migration

Many people in the U.S. are against military involvement in Venezuela. A CBS News/YouGov poll released on Sunday shows that 70% of Americans oppose military action, while 30% support it. Additionally, 76% of those surveyed feel that the Trump administration has not clearly explained its position on military actions.

The Trump administration says it is working to reduce illegal migration and drug trafficking, but achieving regime change in Venezuela may be a side effect. A U.S. official stated that Trump hopes pressure will make Maduro step down without any direct military action.

In response, the Venezuelan government rejected the classification of the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization, calling it a “ridiculous fabrication.”

They added, “This new move will end up like all previous aggressions against our country: it will fail.”

Trump has indicated that he might be open to talking with Maduro. Last week, he mentioned that Maduro “would like to talk” and later said he could speak with him “at a certain time.”

Tensions are rising, and on Thursday, the U.S. showed a strong military presence near Venezuela. During several hours, at least six U.S. aircraft were seen off the coast, including a supersonic F/A-18E fighter jet, a B-52 bomber, and reconnaissance planes, according to flight data reviewed by CNN.

Over the weekend, three international airlines canceled flights from Venezuela after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warned airlines about a “potentially hazardous situation” when flying over the country, according to Reuters.

November 24, 2025