Rwanda-backed rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have tightened their grip on Bukavu, the second major city to fall under M23 control in the country’s east since late last month. M23 rebels captured the city of 1.3 million people on Sunday after it was abandoned by Congolese forces. The capital of the … Read more
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who were forcibly displaced are living amid the rubble of their destroyed homes, waiting for Israel to allow entry of prefabricated temporary homes stuck at the border with Egypt, which were promised under the terms of the ceasefire. Israel is only allowing in aid trucks carrying food, water, medical supplies … Read more
‘Many arrived without even winter clothes’ “The majority of Lebanese that are living in Cyprus are settled around Larnaca, all along the gulf until Paralimni,” explains Father Akl Abou Nader, who is sitting at his desk in the rectory of Saint Joseph Church on St Lazarus Square in Larnaca, a city in the south of … Read more
At least 773 people have been killed in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) largest city of Goma and its vicinity in a week, amid fighting with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels who captured the city in a serious escalation of a decade-long conflict, authorities said. “These figures remain provisional because the rebels asked the population … Read more
Afghanistan’s women cricketers have played their first game since fleeing their country after the Taliban’s takeover three years ago, coming together for a charity match in Australia that captain Nahida Sapan hoped would prompt “a movement for change”. Hundreds of women athletes fled Afghanistan as the Taliban took over in August 2021, escaping a hardline … Read more
Vandalised embassies and piles of burning tyres marked chaotic demonstrations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s capital Kinshasa to denounce the “inaction” of the international community over the conflict raging in Goma, the main city in the country’s east. On foot or motorcycles, hundreds of angry demonstrators responding on Tuesday to the “Paralyse the … Read more
Railway stations and airports across China have seen the biggest peak in travellers in advance of the Lunar New Year as millions of people return home to spend the holidays with their families in an annual migration that is expected to be a record. The Chinese New Year, the Year of the Snake, begins on … Read more
At least 103 Palestinians have been killed and more than 264 wounded by Israeli attacks in Gaza since the announcement of the recent ceasefire agreement. According to Mahmoud Basal, Gaza’s civil defence service spokesperson, the latest casualty figures include 31 women and 27 children. The fatalities came after the Wednesday announcement of a ceasefire agreement … Read more
Pope Francis calls for “arms to be silenced” around the world, appealing for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan in his Christmas address as he denounces the “extremely grave” humanitarian situation in Gaza. He used his traditional message to the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics on Wednesday to call for talks for a just … Read more
Syrian Christians have attended Christmas Eve services for the first time since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in early December. In Sednaya, Syria, a large crowd gathered near a historic monastery on Christmas Eve to witness the lighting of a towering tree adorned with glowing green lights. The celebration offered a rare moment of … Read more