Assad’s escape from Syria to Moscow was marked with deception, despair, flight and even left food cooking on the stove
Bashar al-Assad didn’t even inform his younger brother, Maher, commander of the Army’s elite 4th Armoured Division, about his exit plan, according to three aides. Maher flew a helicopter to Iraq and then to Russia, one of the people said. His maternal cousins, Ehab and Eyad Makhlouf, were similarly left behind as Damascus fell to the rebels, according to a Syrian aide and Lebanese security official. The pair tried to flee by car to Lebanon but were ambushed on the way by rebels who shot Ehab dead
Beyond zero tolerance: Expert views on sexual abuse accountability and supporting survivors
These systemic failures in response mechanisms, from cultural taboos to operational shortcomings, create significant barriers to survivors seeking justice. This was evidenced repeatedly in the CAR investigation – for example when Jeanne* shared her experiences, noting that “If I haven’t gone to see MINUSCA, it is because I don’t know who to turn to, but also because I am afraid.”
Semi-autonomous Jubbaland military claims victory over Somalia National Army, which pulled out of region
The national government in Mogadishu, led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, had tried to stop the November vote from taking place, saying it was being held without federal involvement.
Migrant workers in Lebanon tell of horrors of slavery, inhuman living conditions as they wait to return to Africa
The kafala system has long been criticised by human rights groups, but the government rarely if ever addresses the criticism. But Bah knew little of that when she came to Lebanon in 2022. She was promised a job at a supermarket with a $200 monthly salary, she said. Instead, she was sent to care for an older woman once she arrived.
Designer babies: While fertility businesses are selling better chance of domestic bliss, families are feeling cheated
I’ve counselled a number of those families in the past 10 to 15 years. People who have children this way often place too much importance on genes while ignoring the environment. It’s like, “This is what our family is going to look like. We’re going to pick a kid, and this is how we’re going to put it together. Mom’s going to be in charge of the whole thing.” It’s like a project or building a company. People don’t always realize they are creating a human being and not a piece of furniture.
Fifa comes under scathing criticism for awarding Saudi Arabia 2034 World Cup despite poor human rights record
Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in sport, revamping its domestic soccer league by signing global superstars such as Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil’s Neymar. The kingdom’s Public Investment fund (PIF) acquired English Premier League club Newcastle United and founded the LIV Golf tour, challenging the US-based PGA Tour’s dominance.
Depletion of flora and fauna in Congo Forest worries greens as Chinese gold mining threatens protected UN heritage site
Spanning more than 13,000 square kilometres (5,000 square miles), the Okapi Wildlife Reserve became a protected site in 1996, due to its unique biodiversity and large number of threatened species, including its namesake, the okapi, a forest giraffe, of which it holds some 15 per cent of the world’s remaining 30,000. It’s part of the Congo Basin rainforest – the world’s second-biggest – and a vital carbon sink that helps mitigate climate change. It also has vast mineral wealth such as gold and diamonds.
Killing softly: Scientists warn Bovaer, a new cow feed for reducing methane emissions, poses risks to children
However, in over 13,000 replies to Arla’s announcement on X about its Bovaer field trials, commenters slammed the company. Critics called the trial “insane” and filmed themselves pouring out Arla milk products. Some called for a boycott of the product.
UN peacekeepers, governor and two Congolese army officers accused of possible crimes against humanity in Goma
Eastern Congo has struggled with armed violence for decades as more than 120 groups fight for power, land and valuable mineral resources, while others try to defend their communities. Some armed groups have been accused of mass killings. More than 7 million people have been displaced.
Punitive, unpredictable school levies in Africa sometimes force students to ask fees from dying parents
More than anything, it’s the unpredictable tuition hikes – for sometimes questionable reasons – that haunt parents across the country of more than 45 million people. Some critics, including Uganda’s parliament speaker, have called for regulation to protect parents from exploitation.
