Author: Frank Deux

Thousands of children have been subjected to rape and sexual violence in conflict-battered eastern Congo over the course of two months, the UN children’s agency said Friday, warning that existing funding gaps meant that hundreds of thousands were deprived of protection. Children make up between 35% to 45% of the nearly 10,000 cases of rape and sexual violence reported January and February this year, James Elder, the spokesperson for UNICEF told reporters in Geneva on Friday. Thousands of children raped in war-torn DR Congo, UNICEF says

Iran and the US conducted nuclear talks on Saturday in Oman, holding their first face-to-face meeting since Trump’s return to office. Envoys called the exchange constructive, with more negotiations set for next Saturday. Iran, US hold 'constructive' nuclear talks in Oman, agree to meet again

The United Nations reported on Saturday that more than 100 people, including 20 children, are feared dead after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched attacks on the besieged city of El-Fasher and two nearby displacement camps in Darfur.  Hundreds feared dead in Sudan as RSF launches attack on famine-hit camps

An immigration judge in Louisiana ruled Friday that Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil, a US permanent resident detained by the Trump administration over his role in Gaza war protests, can be deported, US media and a legal rights group said. Lawyers for Khalil are expected to appeal. US immigration judge rules that Columbia pro-Palestinian student Khalil can be deported

Gabonese are set to vote in presidential elections on Saturday, the first since the 2023 coup that toppled the Bongo dynasty after 56 years in power. Teams have been hard at work setting up the electoral system, distributing voter registration cards and organising the vote. The government has reiterated its commitment to a free, credible and transparent election. Now everyone looks forward to seeing the results. Remadji Hoinathy joins us to analyse what’s at stake in this election. Gabon to elect new president, nearly two years after coup

As thousands of Indigenous people gather for the annual Free Land Camp in Brazil’s capital this week to demand protection for land rights, filmmakers are shining the spotlight on their culture and struggles. By covering issues such as land rights often shunned by mainstream media, these artists are helping put the Indigenous struggles and culture in the spotlight. 🌟The Bright Side: Brazil's Indigenous filmmakers showcase fight for rights

The US Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to release and “facilitate” the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported and interned at El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison among 200 suspected gang members due to an “administrative error.” Trump administration ordered to return wrongfully deported Salvadoran migrant to US

Hosts Lyon stole a 2-2 draw against Manchester United in the Europa League quarter-final first leg on Thursday after two massive errors by under-fire Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, including a fumble deep into extra-time. Europa League: Onana errors gift Lyon late draw in quarter-final first leg

A family of five tourists and a pilot died after a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in New York on Thursday amid poor weather conditions. Witnesses said one of the helicopter’s rotors “shattered” in the sky, prompting the sightseeing vehicle to plummet into the water. Sightseeing helicopter crashes into Hudson River, killing six

Trump-TARRIFS.JPG” />French Finance Minister Eric Lombard trimmed the government’s 2025 growth forecast on Wednesday as a global trade war escalates, but said that the government aimed to stick to its deficit reduction plans. The euro zone’s second-biggest economy is now expected to grow only 0.7% instead of the 0.9% it had based its 2025 budget on, Lombard said. France cuts its growth forecast for 2025 as tariffs spark trade war

The United States and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday called on the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces to resume peace talks in the country’s conflict, the State Department said following a meeting in Washington between the two countries’ top diplomats. US and Saudi Arabia push for resumption of Sudan peace talks

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday repeated his threat to use military force if Iran did not agree to end its nuclear program, saying Israel would play a key role. Trump said Iran could not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. Trump warns military action against Iran 'absolutely' possible 'if necessary'

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday labeled Gaza a “killing field,” attributing the situation to Israel’s ongoing aid blockade. An Israeli official refuted the claim, asserting there is “no shortage” of humanitarian aid. UN chief calls Gaza a 'killing field', blames Israeli aid blockade

A US judge on Tuesday ordered the reinstatement of the Associated Press’s access to President Trump’s events, ruling the White House cannot exclude media based on their “viewpoints.” AP had been barred since February for not adopting his renaming of the Gulf of Mexico. US federal judge orders White House to restore AP access

Japan’s main Nikkei index of shares fell in early trade on Wednesday as worries about a US-China trade war killed off a rebound rally on Wall Street. South Korea’s currency meanwhile fell to its lowest level against the dollar since 2009, while oil prices slumped three percent in early Asian trade.  Follow our liveblog for all the latest developments. Live: Asian shares deepen losses after Wall Street turns red

South Korea will conduct a presidential election on June 3, following the impeachment of former leader Yoon Suk Yeol after a failed attempt to impose martial law, the acting president announced Tuesday. The country has been without effective leadership since December, when Yoon was suspended from office by lawmakers. South Korea will hold presidential elections on June 3 to replace Yoon

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Ukrainian forces are present in Russia’s Belgorod, marking a first public acknowledgment. He also mentioned Ukraine’s hold on part of Kursk region, following a significant offensive last year, although Moscow has recaptured most of the territory. Zelensky says Ukrainian troops operating in Russia's Belgorod region

Global temperatures remained at historic highs in March, extending an unprecedented heat streak, Europe’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reported Tuesday. Europe experienced its warmest March on record by a significant margin, intensifying unusual rainfall patterns across the rapidly warming continent. Global temperatures hit historic highs for March, says EU monitor

The members of the Alliance of Sahel States, comprised of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, announced on Sunday that they had withdrawn their ambassadors from Algeria after a Malian drone was shot down days earlier, calling the act a violation of international law and “proof” of state-sponsored terrorism. Sahel alliance recalls ambassadors from Algiers over downed drone

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday landed in Cairo, Egypt, ahead of a summit with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and King Abdullah II of Jordan on the “Gaza emergency.” Macron’s visit will center discussions on the reestablishment of a ceasefire in Gaza and the reopening of humanitarian corridors into Gaza, while also reinforcing the “strategic partnership” between France and Egypt. Macron lands in Cairo ahead of Gaza Summit

New phone footage of Israel’s killing of 15 medical staff working for the Palestinian Red Crescent reportedly shows Israeli soldiers gunning down multiple clearly marked ambulances with their flashing lights on, prompting calls for an independent investigation. The video, which was released on Sunday, contradicts Israel’s claim that the soldiers fired at unmarked vehicles that were approaching suspiciously and that six of the bodies, which were discovered in a mass grave, belonged to members of Hamas. Phone footage reportedly contradicts Israeli account of killing of 15 Palestinian medics

Hamas’s armed wing released a two-minute clip of two Israeli hostages alive in Gaza, speaking to the camera and describing how they had survived an alleged Israeli strike. Hamas’s said on Friday that Israel’s offensive was putting hostages’ lives at risk. Hamas releases video of two Israeli hostages alive after alleged strike

Paris St Germain won their 13th Ligue 1 title overall on Saturday after a 1-0 win over Angers. The record-extending win highlights the extent to which they have dominated domestically since being taken over by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011. PSG win record-extending 13th Ligue 1 title

Thousands of people gathered across the US on Saturday to rally for what’s expected to be the largest single day of protest against President Donald Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk. The demonstrations were organised in response to Trump’s raft of executive orders on tariffs, immigration, education, free speech and more.  Thousands demonstrate against Trump and Musk in 'Hands Off!' rallies across the US

The cavernous Itakeskus swimming hall in Finland houses a complex of pools and saunas, but in just a couple of days it can be transformed into a vast underground bomb shelter with a capacity of nearly 4,000 people. It’s just one of a number of shelters across the country that during peacetime house everything from skateparks to playgrounds, but also form a vital part of Finland’s civil defence strategy and could provide a model for other European nations looking to ramp up preparedness after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Playgrounds, swimming pools and skateparks: Finland’s network of underground bomb shelters