Hostility between Rwanda, Congo persists as the two cancel talks to end a conflict in eastern DRC
M23 is one of about 200 armed groups that have been vying for a foothold in mineral-rich eastern Congo near the border with Rwanda, in a conflict that has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. More than 7 million people have been displaced.
Syrian Christians attend Sunday services in test of Islamist rulers’ promise to protect minorities
In the coastal city of Latakia, long an Assad stronghold, Lina Akhras, a parish council secretary at the St George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, said on Sunday that Christians had been “comfortable” under his rule in terms of freedom of belief but that they just wanted to live in peace and harmony.
At least 11 dead in French territory of Mayotte as Cyclone Chido causes devastating damage
Chido brought winds in excess of 220 kph (136 mph), according to the French weather service, ripping metal roofs off houses and destroying many small structures in Mayotte, which has a population of just over 300,000 spread over two main islands about 800 kilometres (500 miles) off Africa’s east coast.
South Korea’s Acting President Han holds talks with US President Biden, calms financial markets
South Korean shares rose for a fourth straight session on Friday on hopes that the political uncertainty would ease after the impeachment vote in parliament, which followed a failed vote a week earlier.
Fierce fighting intensifies between national army and rebels in eastern Congo ahead of peace talks
M23 is one of about 200 armed groups that have been vying for a foothold in mineral-rich eastern Congo near the border with Rwanda, in a conflict that has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. More than 7 million people have been displaced.
Police in Brazil turn to forensic technology aids to crack down on illicit Amazon gold trade
Once dominated by prospectors with gold pans, artisanal mining in Brazil has become an industrial-scale activity with heavy excavating machinery and million-dollar river dredgers. Criminal organisations fly people, equipment and gold into and out of the region with helicopters and planes that land at clandestine airstrips.
Outgoing Ghanaian President Mahama on poll loss: No amount of vote buying could stand the irresistible hurricane of change that shook our nation
“While (President Jerry) Rawlings appointed the likes of Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas as deputy ministers, I made the mistake of giving that respectable position to the likes of John Oti Bless. I have now realised, rather too late, that if I had kept the likes of Ben Dotsei Malor and Dr Raymond Atuguba around me…”
Missing American Austin Tice still can’t be traced among thousands of prisoners freed by Syrian rebels
When Ausitn Tice escaped, he was spotted by people living in the Mazzeh neighbourhood, wandering the street. He entered the house of a well-known Syrian family, the name of which is being withheld for security reasons, a person familiar with the escape said. Tice was recaptured soon after his escape, one current and one former US official said.
South Korea parliament impeaches President Yoon over martial law bid, constitutional court to decide his fate
President Yoon shocked the nation late on December 3 when he gave the military sweeping emergency powers in order to root out what he called “anti-state forces” and overcome obstructionist political opponents.
Africa deserves three permanent UN Security Council seats, say African Union chair candidates
Despite the continent’s young population of 1.4 billion that is set to double by 2050, regional trade has faced challenges that were addressed in the Friday debate.
