Pope Leo XIV led an open-air mass in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday, attended by approximately 120,000 people.He called on Cameroonians to reject violence and abuse and to be generous to their neighbours amid ongoing hardships.The mass took place at Japoma Stadium, marking the largest crowd gathered during the Pope's four-nation Africa tour.Some believers had arrived the previous day and slept overnight on mats outside the stadium to hear the pontiff's address.The event was held under heavy security, with streets near the stadium lined with crowds singing, dancing, and shielding themselves from the heat.The Pope arrived in Douala by plane from... [Continue Reading]
Senior United Nations officials presented a grave assessment of South Sudan to the UN Security Council on Friday. The officials described the country as experiencing significant political turmoil accompanied by a rise in violence. Alongside these challenges, South Sudan faces widespread hunger and disease, worsening the humanitarian situation. The briefing emphasized that these conditions are occurring amid reductions in the budget allocated to the UN peacekeeping mission operating in the country. These budget constraints have directly limited the peacekeeping mission's capacity to effectively protect civilians in South Sudan. The combination of political instability, violence, and deteriorating humanitarian conditions poses serious... [Continue Reading]
An average of 47 women and girls have been killed daily during the war in Gaza, according to figures published by UN Women.The agency highlighted that these deaths have continued despite a fragile ceasefire in place since October 2025.Between October 2023 and December 2025, more than 38,000 women and girls lost their lives in the conflict.UN Women, which focuses on gender equality, noted that the proportion of female casualties in this conflict is significantly higher than in previous Gaza conflicts.Sofia Calltorp, head of humanitarian action at UN Women, emphasized that these victims were individuals with lives and dreams, underscoring the... [Continue Reading]
Several armed men carried out a bank robbery in Naples, Italy, taking 25 people hostage before escaping through a tunnel.The incident occurred around midday local time at a branch of Crédit Agricole in the southern Italian city.Police quickly surrounded the bank and engaged in negotiations with the robbers, which led to the release of the hostages approximately two hours after the robbery began.Firefighters assisted in freeing the hostages by breaking a window and helping them climb out.No serious injuries were reported, although six individuals were treated for shock.A witness stated that the robbers were armed but did not use violence... [Continue Reading]
The United States House of Representatives voted on April 16 to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 350,000 Haitians living in the country.The measure passed with bipartisan support, including ten Republicans joining Democrats, by a margin of 224 to 204.This extension would allow Haitians currently under TPS to maintain their status for an additional three years.TPS is a program designed to protect foreign nationals from deportation when their home countries face unsafe conditions such as violence or natural disasters.It also grants temporary work authorization to eligible individuals.The extension comes amid ongoing violence and political instability in Haiti.The bill's passage... [Continue Reading]
Pope Leo XIV has condemned global leaders for spending billions on wars and exploiting religion for military and political gain during his visit to Cameroon, a country affected by a long-running insurgency.Speaking in the northwestern city of Bamenda, the largest city in Cameroon's anglophone regions, the Pope described the world as being "ravaged by a handful of tyrants" and called for a "decisive change of course" away from conflict and exploitation.The Pontiff's remarks came amid ongoing violence in the region, which has suffered from a separatist conflict for nearly a decade, leaving thousands dead and traumatized.He highlighted the diversion of... [Continue Reading]
Sudan is currently experiencing an intensification of its civil war, with civilians increasingly caught in the deadly crossfire between the national army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).The conflict has escalated into a systematic war on civilians, severely impacting the population's survival.Reports confirm ongoing clashes between the army and RSF, leading to widespread displacement and starvation among civilians.Essential services such as education and healthcare have collapsed amid the violence.The humanitarian situation is critical, with many Sudanese facing dire conditions due to the breakdown of infrastructure and social services.Official responses have been limited, and the crisis remains largely overlooked internationally.This escalation... [Continue Reading]
Pope Leo XIV began a three-day visit to Cameroon on Wednesday, marking the first papal trip to the country since 2009.During his visit, he urged President Paul Biya to confront corruption and restore public trust in leadership.Speaking at the presidential palace in Yaoundé, the Pope emphasized the need to break the "chains of corruption" that undermine governance.This message comes amid ongoing political challenges following Biya's disputed re-election in November 2025.The visit occurs against the backdrop of a separatist conflict in Cameroon's anglophone regions, which has been ongoing since 2017.Violence in these areas has resulted in over 6,000 deaths, according to... [Continue Reading]
A 14-year-old student opened fire at a school in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, killing nine people and injuring 13 others on April 15, 2026.The attacker was armed with five guns and caused panic as students fled by jumping out of windows.The incident took place in the Onikisubat district of Kahramanmaras province.Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci confirmed the death toll and reported that six of the wounded are in intensive care, with three in critical condition.The shooter has been identified as Isa Aras Mersinli.His father, Ugur Mersinli, a former police officer, has been detained for questioning by authorities.The Turkish Interior Ministry has urged media... [Continue Reading]
Mexico is confronting a severe human rights crisis with more than 133,000 people reported missing across the country.This alarming figure highlights the scale of the ongoing violence and impunity affecting the nation.President Claudia Sheinbaum is facing mounting pressure to address this tragic situation.The disappearances represent one of Mexico's most painful and persistent challenges.The crisis has significant social and political implications, as families and communities demand justice and effective government action.The large number of missing persons underscores systemic issues within law enforcement and judicial processes.This situation matters now as it tests the government's commitment to human rights and public security.The international... [Continue Reading]
Pope Leo XIV began a four-day visit to Cameroon on April 15, 2026, which includes a trip to the epicentre of the country's long-running separatist conflict.The visit is marked by a declared three-day ceasefire by separatist groups in the English-speaking regions to facilitate the pontiff's travel.The Pope arrived in Cameroon after concluding a visit to Algeria.His itinerary includes meetings with Cameroon's President Paul Biya, a visit to a Catholic orphanage, and private discussions with Cameroonian bishops.The visit is the first papal trip to Cameroon since 2009.Separatist groups in the anglophone west of Cameroon announced the ceasefire to allow the Pope... [Continue Reading]
Vice President JD Vance was heckled during a Turning Point USA event on April 14, 2026, where he addressed opposition to US Middle East war policies.Vance acknowledged the concerns of young voters, stating, "I recognize that young voters do not love the policy we have in the Middle East, OK.I understand." The incident occurred amid Vance's remarks on the ongoing conflict with Iran, reflecting growing public dissent.The heckling disrupted his speech but did not result in any injuries or further disturbances.This event highlights the sensitivity surrounding US political discourse on the Middle East war, especially among younger demographics.Vance's comments came... [Continue Reading]
A boat carrying Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants capsized last week in the Andaman Sea, leaving about 250 people missing, according to United Nations refugee and migration agencies.The vessel had departed from Bangladesh and was headed for Malaysia when it reportedly sank due to heavy winds, rough seas, and overcrowding.The Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued nine survivors from the boat on 9 April.The missing include men, women, and children, highlighting the vulnerability of those undertaking dangerous sea journeys.One survivor, Rafiqul Islam, described floating for nearly 36 hours before being rescued and suffering burns from spilled oil.He said the promise of employment in... [Continue Reading]
Authorities in New York City have arrested an individual linked to a plot to assassinate a Palestinian activist.The arrest has brought renewed attention to the Jewish Defense League (J.D.L.), a far-right Zionist group that had been largely inactive until recently.The plot and subsequent arrest indicate a resurgence of the J.D.L. in the city.The Jewish Defense League, known for its extremist views, appears to have been inspired by far-right Zionist ideology in this recent activity.The arrest confirms the group's involvement in planning targeted violence against a Palestinian activist.Officials have not disclosed further details about the suspect or the specific circumstances of... [Continue Reading]
Israeli forces conducted an airstrike on the Shati refugee camp in Gaza on Tuesday night, resulting in multiple fatalities.Several people were killed, and others were injured in the attack.The victims were rushed to medical facilities, with images showing bloodied individuals being treated.The exact number of casualties has not been confirmed.In a related incident, an Israeli strike on a police vehicle in Gaza City killed at least four people, including a three-year-old child, according to Gaza health officials.These attacks come amid ongoing violence in Gaza despite a fragile ceasefire brokered by the United States in October.The ceasefire has not fully halted... [Continue Reading]
France has refused a visa to Shawan Jabarin, a leading Palestinian human rights advocate, preventing him from addressing the European Parliament's human rights committee.Jabarin, director of the Ramallah-based organisation Al Haq, was scheduled to speak on 14 April but was blocked despite Belgium and the Netherlands being prepared to grant him entry.The visa refusal came even though France's foreign ministry did not object to issuing the visa.Mounir Satouri, a French Green MEP and chair of the committee, indicated that another part of the French government intervened at the last moment to block Jabarin's entry.Jabarin's deputy, Tahseen Alayan, attended in his... [Continue Reading]
A 20-year-old Texas man, Daniel Moreno-Gama, has been charged with attempted murder and multiple federal felonies after attacking the home of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in San Francisco.Authorities confirmed Moreno-Gama threw a homemade bomb, described as a Molotov cocktail, at the gate of Altman's residence around 4:00 p.m. local time on April 10, 2026, before fleeing on foot.Approximately an hour later, Moreno-Gama attempted to set fire to the OpenAI headquarters in San Francisco, reportedly trying to break the glass doors with a chair.No injuries have been reported, but the incidents caused property damage at both locations.Moreno-Gama faces two counts of... [Continue Reading]
Hezbollah has declared it will not abide by any agreements resulting from the direct Lebanon-Israel talks scheduled to take place in Washington, urging Lebanon to withdraw from the negotiations.These talks represent the first direct diplomatic engagement between Lebanon and Israel in decades.Wafiq Safa, a senior member of Hezbollah's political council, stated that the group is not interested in or concerned with the outcomes of the negotiations.Separately, Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem called on Lebanon to pull out of the talks in a televised address.The talks come amid ongoing conflict in Lebanon, where Israeli strikes have killed at least 2,055 people, including... [Continue Reading]
US President Donald Trump removed a controversial post from his social media platform depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure healing a sick man.The AI-generated image showed Trump in a white robe with a glowing hand on the forehead of a patient in a hospital bed.The post was deleted following widespread criticism from across the US political spectrum, including some of Trump's own supporters.The image included symbolic elements such as the Statue of Liberty, a large US flag, fighter jets, an eagle, a nurse, a praying woman, and a soldier in uniform.Trump acknowledged posting the picture and said he believed it... [Continue Reading]
Eight individuals will be recognised for their bravery during the deadly stabbing attack at Bondi Junction shopping centre in Sydney two years ago.The attack, which occurred in April 2024, resulted in six deaths and ten injuries.The assailant, Joel Cauchi, was shot dead by police after a psychotic episode.Among those to be honoured is New South Wales police inspector Amy Scott, who shot Cauchi after he lunged at her with a knife.Also receiving bravery medals are two French nationals and a security guard who attempted to disarm the attacker.Two victims will receive posthumous awards: a mother who saved her baby in... [Continue Reading]
Benin conducted its presidential election on 12 April 2026 amid ongoing security and economic difficulties.Voting began at 7am local time and was scheduled to close at 4pm, with over 7.9 million registered voters including those in the diaspora.Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni, backed by the ruling coalition and outgoing President Patrice Talon, was widely expected to win.Wadagni, a 49-year-old former Deloitte executive, faced opposition from Paul Hounkpe, a former culture minister and opposition figure whose campaign remained low-key.The election took place as Benin confronts significant challenges including jihadist attacks from the al-Qaeda affiliated Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and a poverty... [Continue Reading]
Masood Masjoody, an Iranian activist in Vancouver, disappeared after publicly accusing two compatriots of plotting to kill him.His body was subsequently found in the city, confirming his death.Local authorities have verified the discovery of Masjoody's body but have not disclosed further details about suspects or motives.The investigation into the circumstances of his death is ongoing.This incident has brought to light significant divisions within Canada's Iranian diaspora community, exposing underlying tensions that have escalated to violence.The case highlights the dangers faced by activists who confront members of their own communities and raises concerns about the safety and protection of politically active... [Continue Reading]
Israeli drone strikes early on April 11, 2026, killed at least seven Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, targeting central and southern areas including refugee camps and displacement sites.An Israeli drone fired two missiles near a police post in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, hitting a group of civilians in the "Block 9" area, according to a spokesman for Gaza's civil defence rescue service.Medical sources confirmed several fatalities and serious injuries from this strike.Ambulance crews faced difficult conditions transporting the bodies and wounded to nearby hospitals.The al-Aqsa hospital in central Gaza received six bodies and seven wounded individuals, including... [Continue Reading]
Israel has refused calls for a ceasefire with Hezbollah as it prepares for scheduled talks with Lebanon in Washington.The Israeli government maintains that Hezbollah remains the main obstacle to peace and will not discuss halting the fighting during the upcoming negotiations.The talks, set to take place at the U.S.State Department, will mark the first formal contact between Israel and Lebanon, two countries without diplomatic relations.Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors finalized arrangements for the meeting following late-night discussions.Israeli strikes in Lebanon have continued amid the diplomatic efforts, causing significant casualties.Lebanese authorities report that more than 1,950 people have been killed in the... [Continue Reading]
A violent home invasion occurred late Friday night in Greenvale, a suburb situated in the northern part of Melbourne, leaving two male occupants with severe injuries. According to reports from Victoria Police, the incident took place just before midnight, when three or four masked individuals forced their way into a residence, subsequently assaulting the male occupants inside the home. The two victims sustained lacerations due to the attack and were promptly transported to a local hospital for treatment. Their current condition remains serious, as they are undergoing medical evaluation and care. The police have launched an investigation into the incident,... [Continue Reading]
As tensions escalate in the Middle East, ceasefire negotiations between Iran and Israel are intensifying, with Vice President JD Vance traveling to Pakistan to engage with Iranian officials. This diplomatic initiative comes at a critical juncture, as the conflict surrounding Israeli attacks in Lebanon has resulted in significant casualties and humanitarian concerns. Recent reports from the Lebanese Health Ministry indicate that the total number of individuals killed in Israeli assaults on Lebanon has risen to 1,953, with an additional 6,303 people reported as wounded since the onset of the recent violence on March 2. These escalating casualty figures underscore the... [Continue Reading]
Colombia's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism has implemented a significant increase in import tariffs on goods from Ecuador, raising the rate from 30 percent to 100 percent. This development comes in response to Ecuador's announcement of a similar hike, marking an escalation in trade tensions between the two countries, both of which are facing ongoing issues related to drug trafficking and economic stability. The tariff adjustment was confirmed on Friday, following Ecuador's decision to increase its import taxes as part of a broader strategy to address what it perceives as an unfavorable trade balance with Colombia. The Ecuadorian government... [Continue Reading]
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanon has intensified recently with a series of aggressive military actions resulting in significant casualties and damage. An Israeli airstrike on a government building in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, has reportedly killed at least 13 members of the Lebanese State Security agency. This airstrike occurred amid heightened tensions and following a declaration by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the initiation of direct talks with Lebanon. In a separate but related context, Hezbollah retaliated by firing a barrage of rockets at northern Israel, which damaged a 1,500-year-old Byzantine church in Nahariya. These developments come after... [Continue Reading]
A Voice in the Wilderness of War: Who Still Dares to Speak Truth While Empires March There are moments in history when the world suddenly accelerates toward disaster, moments when anyone who has studied history can feel the temperature rising even before the explosions reach their peak. The current escalation in the Middle East is one of those moments. According to the facts we now see unfolding, the United States and Israel made the unilateral decision to attack Iran without the approval of the United Nations, without a global coalition mandate, and without the support of most of the international... [Continue Reading]