Burkina Faso slapstwo-week suspension on BBC, VOA radio broadcasts over extrajudicial killings coverage

Burkina Faso slapstwo-week suspension on BBC, VOA radio broadcasts over extrajudicial killings coverage

In the report based on its own investigation, the watchdog said that the West African country’s military summarily executed about 223 villagers, including at least 56 children, in February as part of a campaign against civilians accused of collaborating with jihadist militants.

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Ariel Henry resigns as prime minister of Haiti, paving way for a new government to take power

Ariel Henry resigns as prime minister of Haiti, paving way for a new government to take power

Henry presented his resignation in a letter signed in Los Angeles, dated April 24, and released on Thursday by his office on the same day a council tasked with choosing a new prime minister and Cabinet for Haiti was due to be sworn in.

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58,000 malnourished Haitian children face death as gang violence cuts off capital by air, sea and land

58,000 malnourished Haitian children face death as gang violence cuts off capital by air, sea and land

Haiti’s gangs, many of which have grouped together under an alliance known as “Viv Ansanm” (Living Together), have said their siege on the capital was a battle to oust Henry, but since his announcement there has been little let-up in attacks.

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West African Sahel has become a drug smuggling corridor, UN warns, as seizures skyrocket

West African Sahel has become a drug smuggling corridor, UN warns, as seizures skyrocket

Cocaine is the most seized drug in the Sahel after cannabis resin, the report said. The analysis comes as Senegal, which borders on the Sahel, announced Sunday a record-breaking cocaine seizure of 1,137 kilogrammes – the most ever intercepted on land and valued at $146 million – near an artisanal mine in the east of the country.

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UN approves simplified, cheaper version of cholera vaccine expected to reduce surge in cases

UN approves simplified, cheaper version of cholera vaccine expected to reduce surge in cases

WHO’s approval means donor agencies like the vaccines alliance Gavi and UNICEF can now buy it for poorer countries. Leila Pakkala, director of UNICEF’s supply division, said in a statement that the agency will be able to boost supplies by more than 25 per cent.

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Leaked New York Times memo on Gaza bans use of terms such as genocide, ethnic cleansing and occupied territory

Leaked New York Times memo on Gaza bans use of terms such as genocide, ethnic cleansing and occupied territory

The leak gave rise to a highly unusual internal probe. The company faced harsh criticism for allegedly targeting Times workers of Middle East and North African descent, which Times brass denied. On Monday, executive editor Joe Kahn told staff that the leak investigation had been concluded unsuccessfully.

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Double-face: Leaked diplomatic cables show White House opposes Palestinian statehood

Double-face: Leaked diplomatic cables show White House opposes Palestinian statehood

While clarifying that President Joe Biden has worked vigorously to support “Palestinian aspirations for statehood” within the context “of a comprehensive peace that would resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” a diplomatic cable dated April 12 details US talking points against a UN vote for Palestinian statehood.

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Aid agency’s warnings of dire situation in Sudan prompt donors pledge $2.1 billion to off famine

Aid agency’s warnings of dire situation in Sudan prompt donors pledge $2.1 billion to off famine

Sudan descended into conflict in April last year when simmering tensions between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere across the country.

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Russian Wagner mercenaries mutate into beasts that are raping women in Central African Republic with abandon

Russian Wagner mercenaries mutate into beasts that are raping women in Central African Republic with abandon

A local fighter who works with Wagner asserted that he saw six of the Russians rape a local woman in the tent where he was sleeping at their base in Bambari in early 2023. He said the Russians give women canned food like sardines or bottled water afterward. He spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. The Russian government didn’t respond to questions.

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UN in new $1.4 billion plan for 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees in East and Central Africa

UN in new $1.4 billion plan for 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees in East and Central Africa

The regional refugee plan complements a humanitarian appeal launched earlier this year, aimed at reaching 5.9 million people in South Sudan. Humanitarian partners will build on gains already made with host governments and regional bodies to improve the protection environment for refugees and asylum-seekers through enhanced access to asylum and civil documentation.

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