---
title: 2025-05-16-world_news
created: 2025-05-16
updated: 2025-05-16
type: summary
tags: ["newsletter", "world_news"]
external: http://go/ui/posts/669/
status: inbox
---

<think>
Alright, I need to create a concise bulletin summary of 8 items from the provided list of news articles. The user specified to merge duplicates and prioritize big news and headlines. Let me start by listing all the items to identify duplicates and their frequency.

Looking through the entries, some articles are repeated. For example, "Smokey Robinson under criminal investigation..." appears three times. Similarly, the Alibaba shares drop and the James Comey investigations are repeated. The Trump-related news, like his Gulf tour and Ukraine peace talks, also come up multiple times. These duplicates indicate higher importance, so those should be prioritized.

Next, I need to determine which are the top 8 most significant stories. The Smokey Robinson case is a high-profile celebrity investigation, so that's a top item. The femicide of Valeria Marquez is a critical social issue. The China-U.S. trade and rare earth metals are significant geopolitical and economic news. The Ukraine peace talks involving Trump and Putin are major international relations. The arrest in the Peru mine killings is a severe criminal case. The Comey investigation linked to Trump is politically charged. The LA Olympics air taxi plan and the Alibaba stock drop are important but maybe a bit less urgent. However, the user mentioned merging duplicates, so maybe the Alibaba and Shein's warehouse moves could be grouped under business, but since they are separate, perhaps prioritize the ones with more mentions. Wait, the user said if duplicates exist, they should be merged and placed first. Let's count each entry:

1. Smokey Robinson: 3 times
2. Valeria Marquez: 3 times
3. China's export controls: 3 times
4. Rubio on Ukraine talks: 3 times
5. Comey investigation: 4 times (since some are variations like "seashell photo" but same content)
6. Aramco-U.S. deals: 3 times
7. Gaza situation: 3 times
8. Chemical spill wildlife: 3 times
9. LA Olympics: 3 times
10. Musk's Grok: 3 times
11. Peru mine killings: 3 times
12. Top Australian soldier: 3 times
13. Alibaba: 3 times
14. Shein: 3 times
15. "Ex-FBI boss" (Comey) same as item 5, so count as duplicate.

The top duplicates are Comey's investigation (4), Smokey Robinson (3), Valeria Marquez (3), China-U.S. trade (3), Ukraine talks (3), and Gaza (3). So the top 8 would be these, but I need to make sure each is unique and merged. Let me list them:

1. Smokey Robinson investigation (merged 3 entries)
2. Comey's investigation (merged 4 entries)
3. China-U.S. trade/re rare earth (3 times)
4. Ukraine peace talks needing Trump/Putin (3 times)
5. Gaza situation (3 times)
6. Aramco-U.S. deals linked to Trump's visit (3 times)
7. Valeria Marquez femicide (3 times)
8. Chemical spill in São Paulo (3 times)

Wait, but the user wants only 8 items. Let me check which are the most impactful. The Alibaba drop and Peru killings might be slightly less critical. The LA Olympics' air taxi is a specific event, maybe less urgent than the others. The Australian soldier case is a legal matter but perhaps not top 8. So the top 8 would be the first eight based on duplicates and significance. I need to ensure each item is unique, merging duplicates. The user also wants the merged ones at the top. Let me structure each with the most relevant title and correct links. Also, check for any other overlaps. Let me proceed to list them in order of importance, ensuring each is unique and merged duplicates are first.
</think>

# Big news around the World  
1. [Smokey Robinson under criminal investigation after sexual assault claims](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy0j8kyv7jgo)  
Motown singer faces investigation over allegations he denies; lawyer calls probe a path to "exposure to the truth".  

2. [Former FBI Director James Comey under investigation for post seen as a potential threat to Trump](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/15/former-fbi-director-james-comey-under-investigation-for-post-seen-as-a-potential-threat-to-trumps-life.html)  
Comey denies claims his deleted "8647" Instagram post encouraged Trump's assassination, after Trump allies accused him of incitement.  

3. [China keeps hold on rare earth metals after lifting some U.S. export curbs](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/15/china-trump-trade-deal-export-controls.html)  
Beijing lifted controls on 28 U.S. firms but maintains strategic leverage amid a 90-day tariff pause.  

4. [Trump and Putin needed for breakthrough in Ukraine peace talks, Rubio says](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdd29z6669ro)  
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio expresses low expectations for upcoming Turkey-mediated Ukraine-Russia talks, citing leadership gaps.  

5. [US 'troubled' by Gaza humanitarian crisis as Israeli strikes kill 114](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gewwg1wlvo)  
Rubio condemns ongoing violence in Gaza, where hospitals report over 100 civilian deaths in recent strikes.  

6. [Aramco seals $90B U.S. deals during Trump’s Gulf tour](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/15/aramco-says-it-has-us-tie-ups-worth-up-to-90-billion-amid-trump-gulf-tour.html)  
Saudi Aramco announces $90B in U.S. partnerships during Trump’s Middle East visit to strengthen energy ties.  

7. [Valeria Marquez: Mexican TikTok influencer's femicide sparks outrage](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly3nw938deo)  
Prosecutors classify the live-streamed killing of 23-year-old influencer as femicide, prompting calls for justice.  

8. [Wildlife dyed blue in São Paulo chemical spill](https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c8re5134k0yo)  
Environmental crisis as animals are contaminated; rescue efforts underway after an industrial chemical leak.
