WAO ART #70

Several countries have evacuated their citizens and diplomats from Sudan's capital, Khartoum, as fighting between the Sudanese army and RSF paramilitary force continues into a second week. Over 1,000 EU citizens have been airlifted out, with many on French and German rescue missions.

China has distanced itself from comments made by its Paris ambassador, Lu Shaye, who questioned the sovereignty of Ukraine and other former Soviet countries. China's foreign ministry said it respected the independence of all post-Soviet republics, and rejected Lu's position.

Australia will shift its defence focus from land-based armour to longer-range missiles to counter the growing threat from China, according to a major defence review. The report warns that Australia can no longer rely on its geographic isolation in the "missile age".

Alessandra Korap has won the Goldman Prize for South and Central America for her successful fight against mining in the Amazon rainforest. She confronted mining giant Anglo American, which subsequently withdrew 27 exploration permits for mining in indigenous territories.

Ripple's Head of Public Policy, Michelle Bond, has urged the US to learn from the EU and UK in terms of cryptocurrency regulation. Bond highlighted the clarity and certainty provided by the EU's regulatory framework, as well as the UK's approach of working closely with industry stakeholders.

Taiwan's defence ministry has reported that a Chinese carrier group led by the Shandong is about 120 nautical miles off the southeast coast of the island. The same ship participated in China's war games around Taiwan earlier this month. Taiwan's armed forces are closely tracking the ships.

Bed Bath & Beyond, the US retail giant, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and will close all 475 of its remaining stores by the end of June. The company, which has faced financial difficulties for years, has struggled to keep up with the rise of online shopping.