Global News Roundup: Trump-Putin Call, Gaza Crisis, French Politics, and Eurovision Results

International News Summary: May 18, 2025 Summary: On May 18, 2025, several significant global events unfolded. Former US President Donald Trump announced plans for a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the conflict in Ukraine. Simultaneously, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza resulted in at least 100 casualties, prompting the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to express concerns about potential ethnic cleansing. In France, Bruno Retailleau was elected as the new president of the Republicans party. Finally, the Eurovision Song Contest concluded, with Austria's Jiji taking the top prize. Details: Trump's planned call with Putin aims to de-escalate the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The UN's Volker Türk stated, "The scale of the violence and the apparent disregard for civilian life are deeply troubling." Retailleau's victory marks a shift in French politics. Louane, representing France in the Eurovision Song Contest, achieved a respectable 7th-place finish. Conclusion: These events highlight a complex global landscape. The international community faces challenges in addressing conflicts and human rights violations, while political shifts in France and the vibrant spectacle of the Eurovision Song Contest provide contrasting narratives.