Global tensions escalate across multiple fronts: Sudan's humanitarian crisis deepens amid drone warfare, Iran mourns assassinated leader while projecting power, Russia intensifies Ukraine assault, and diplomatic rifts widen between major powers.

Sudan's El Obeid city has become a key battleground between the armed forces and paramilitary RSF, with aid workers reporting 'terrible' conditions marked by relentless drone strikes and a dire humanitarian crisis affecting the besieged civilian population.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, assassinated in a February airstrike, begins week-long funeral ceremonies with massive crowds gathering in Tehran as the regime seeks to project stability and warn of retaliation against Israel and the United States.

Russia launched a massive assault on Kyiv killing at least 30 people and injuring dozens, continuing a pattern of intense attacks across Ukraine while Putin visited the battlefield to vow territorial expansion despite Ukrainian defensive efforts.

China's ambassador warned Australia against 'Cold War mentality' as bilateral relations show signs of strain despite recent diplomatic improvements, reflecting broader tensions between Beijing and Western nations over trade and security issues.

West Africa faces a climate crisis with Côte d'Ivoire reporting 59 deaths from floods since May, while Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Nigeria also experience deadly torrential rains amid worsening seasonal weather patterns.

The UK axed a major women's education program aimed at keeping one million girls in school across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East after just two years due to government aid budget cuts.

Canada's provincial governments pledged C$150 billion to advance a contentious pipeline expansion project, incorporating environmental protections for whales and addressing First Nations concerns to boost the nation's economic presence overseas.

Venezuela grapples with earthquake aftermath as rescue teams navigate widespread destruction across Caraballeda, with international volunteers joining local rescuers in search-and-rescue operations amid humanitarian challenges.

China defended its controversial 'ethnic unity' law against rights groups and Western criticism, claiming it protects Tibetans, Uyghurs, and other minorities despite international concerns about potential threats to their freedoms.

Pakistan and Turkiye reaffirmed economic partnership goals, with PM Shehbaz Sharif describing the nations as 'two hearts with one soul' while emphasizing bilateral trade expansion and cooperation amid regional geopolitical dynamics.