Gabon New Leader Vows Free Elections After Transition
The leader of Gabon's military junta has vowed to return power to civilians after "free, transparent" elections. However, in a speech after being sworn in as interim president, he did not give a date for military rule to end. Gen Brice Nguema led last Wednesday's coup against Ali Bongo, toppling the president shortly after he was named winner of a disputed...
Zelenskyy’s Wife Decries Lingering War Says “I Need My Husband By My Side”
Olena Zelenska, wife of the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has shared her frustrations arising from the impact of war on her family following the invasion of her country last year by Russia. Olena Zelenska told BBC in an interview that the family including her son has missed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “This may be a bit selfish, but I need my...
Gabon Coup: Nguema Releases Ousted President Bongo
The military junta in Gabon has released ousted President Ali Bongo from house arrest. The new military regime in Gabon said the democratically elected President is free to leave the country for medical treatment. The Government of Bongo was toppled following the announcement by the country’s electoral umpire that he had been re-elected for a third term in office. The leader of...
Death Toll From Morocco Earthquake Hits 2,122
Using heavy equipment and even their bare hands, rescuers in Morocco on Sunday stepped up efforts to find survivors of a devastating earthquake that killed more than 2,100 people and flattened villages. The first foreign rescuers flew in to help after the North African country’s strongest-ever quake killed at least 2,122 people and injured more than 2,400, many seriously, according...
India Hands Over G20 Presidency To Brazil
India has formally handed over the G20 presidency to Brazil at the closing ceremony of the annual summit held in New Delhi this weekend. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed the transition by handing over the ceremonial gavel of the presidency to Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. India had the presidency of the G20 since Dec. 1, when it...
N’Korea’s Kim In Russia For Putin Talks As US Warns On Arms Deal
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Russia on Tuesday for a rare foreign visit ahead of a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, prompting warnings from Washington about a possible weaponry deal for Moscow's war in Ukraine. North Korean state media photographs showed an unsmiling Kim waving from the doorway of his heavily armored private train with green-and-gold...
Taliban Welcomes First New Chinese Ambassador Since Takeover
China has become the first country to name a new ambassador to Afghanistan since the Taliban retook power in 2021. The Taliban said Zhao Xing's appointment is a sign for other nations to establish ties with its government. No other country has recognized the Taliban government, which has been criticized over human rights violations and crushing women's rights. Analysts say Mr Zhao's...
Six Palestinians Killed By Israeli Forces In West Bank And Gaza
Six Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. Four were killed in a late-night military raid of Jenin refugee camp in which some 30 people were also injured, according to Palestinian medics. Another young Palestinian man was killed during an Israeli raid in Jericho on Wednesday morning. The sixth was killed during violent demonstrations...
California Sues Anti-Abortion Groups For Saying Pregnancy-Ending Pill Can Be Reversed
California is suing two anti-abortion organizations for telling patients they could reverse the effects of an abortion pill. Heartbeat International (HBI) and RealOptions Obria claimed a high dose of the hormone progesterone could undo the effects of the mifepristone pill. However, the only clinical trial of the process was stopped after patients reported severe bleeding. HBI said it had not yet been...
Suspected Rwanda Serial Killer Pleads Guilty To Killing 14 People
A Rwandan man pleaded guilty on Thursday to killing 14 people after the discovery of a pile of bodies buried in a hole in his kitchen. Denis Kazungu, 34, was indicted with multiple charges, including murder, rape, forgery, impersonation and desecration of human corpses. At a packed court hearing in Kigali, Kazungu said “yes” when asked by the judge if the...
