Pope endures punishing schedule that’s renewed concerns about the 87-year-old’s poor health
On Friday, the pope skipped at the last minute the night-time Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession at Rome’s Colosseum in what the Vatican said was a bid to “preserve his health” ahead of other Holy Week events.
Two armed groups pledge to protect and respect civilians as conflict worsens in eastern Congo
President Felix Tshisekedi, who started his second five-year term in January, had made quelling violence in the eastern parts of the Central African country a priority in his first term, but has struggled to deliver results.
Biden threatens Russia with costs on Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich arrest anniversary
Top leaders in the US Congress from both parties including Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson also issued a joint statement on Friday calling the journalst Evan Gershkovich’s arrest baseless and unjust.
French lawmakers condemn ‘bloody and murderous’ 1961 massacre of Algerian protesters
About 12,000 Algerians were arrested in the crackdown and dozens were killed, “their bodies thrown into the Seine River,” President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged in 2021 on the 60th anniversary of the massacre.
Hazardous textile waste: Kenya’s secondhand clothes traders oppose EU ban on used clothes export
The EU exported 1.4 million tonnes of used textiles in 2022, more than twice as much as in 2000 according to UN trade data. Exports to developing countries can lead to pollution when clothes that cannot be resold end up in dumps, the EU has said.
Britain announces $100 million finance facility for countries in eastern and southern Africa
The financing facility with TDB is the fourth of its kind to be struck with the lender and would help the bank address supply chain disruptions and forex shortages, said Admassu Tadesse, TDB Group President and Managing Director.
New twist in Crocus City Hall massacre as Russia casts doubt on Islamic State involvement
President Vladimir Putin has not publicly mentioned the Islamist militant group in connection with the attackers, who he said had been trying to escape to Ukraine.
Terrorism: Security experts say Islamic State claim for Russian concert attack is credible
In the past, militant groups have been known to claim attacks carried out by others, if they fit with their preferred targets and propaganda goals. IS has strong motivation to strike Russia, which intervened against it in Syria’s civil war in 2015 on the side of President Bashar al-Assad.
Death toll in Russia concert terrorist attack rises to 143 as Putin vows to punish perpetrators of the massacre
In a televised address, Putin said 11 people had been detained, including the four gunmen. “They tried to hide and moved towards Ukraine, where, according to preliminary data, a window was prepared for them on the Ukrainian side to cross the state border,” he said.
Prince William’s wife announces she’s undergoing preventive chemotherapy after cancer diagnosis
King Charles, 75, underwent a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate at the same hospital as Kate in January. Buckingham Palace then revealed in February that he was to have treatment for cancer, meaning he has had to postpone his public royal duties.
