Author: Elizabeth Jenrola Oso

A man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty on appeal of raping Gisèle Pelicot, who had been drugged unconscious by her husband.

Negotiators have arrived in Cairo ahead of talks scheduled for Monday, which are expected to focus on the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and a broader resolution to the ongoing conflict. Despite diplomatic efforts, Israeli airstrikes continued over the weekend, with 63 Palestinians reported killed in the past 24 hours. The Egyptian foreign ministry confirmed that discussions would centre on the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s proposed plan to end the war. This phase involves the release of the remaining 48 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners currently detained in Israel. US…

Syria has commenced its first parliamentary elections since the ousting of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, marking a tentative step towards democratic governance amid criticism that the process favours the country’s interim leadership. As the nation emerges from over a decade of civil war, local committees have begun selecting members of a transitional parliament. The newly formed 210-member People’s Assembly will be responsible for drafting a new constitution and electoral law. It will serve a renewable 30-month term in preparation for future national polls. Under the current framework, one-third of the assembly seats are to be appointed directly by interim leader…

Morocco’s Prime Minister, Aziz Akhannouch, has commended the actions of security forces in response to ongoing nationwide protests over corruption and public spending, stating the government is open to dialogue. The announcement comes as organisers called for a sixth consecutive night of demonstrations.

Israel has intercepted a pro-Palestinian flotilla attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, with the majority of vessels stopped by the Israeli navy approximately 75 nautical miles off the coast. However, one vessel, the Mikeno, reportedly evaded the blockade and entered Palestinian territorial waters before contact was lost. This marks the closest an unauthorised aid mission has come to Gaza since Israel imposed its naval blockade in 2009. The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed that “one last boat of the provocation remains in the distance,” adding that any attempt to breach the blockade would be prevented. The Global Sumud flotilla comprised…

Local media reported that construction at the school had been ongoing for nine months.

The United States government entered a shutdown on Wednesday after congressional Democrats declined to support a Republican funding proposal that lacked concessions on healthcare policy. The Republican Party, which holds majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, rejected Democratic demands, triggering a legislative impasse that persisted until midnight, when both parties failed to advance their respective funding bills in the Senate. This marks the first government shutdown since the 35-day closure that began in December 2018 during President Trump’s first term. It comes as Democrats seek to recover politically following last year’s general election, which saw Trump…

Moldova’s ruling pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) has retained its parliamentary majority following Sunday’s closely watched election, a result seen as a decisive test of President Maia Sandu’s efforts to steer the country towards European Union membership. With more than 99.5 per cent of ballots counted, PAS secured 50.03 per cent of the vote, according to figures released by the Central Election Commission. The result translates into a majority in the 101-seat parliament. By contrast, a Moscow-leaning alliance of parties led by former president Igor Dodon won 24.26 per cent. The outcome exceeded expectations for Sandu’s party, which had…

The state of Oregon has launched legal action in federal court to prevent the deployment of 200 National Guard troops to Portland, accusing President Donald Trump of misrepresenting the city as “war ravaged”. Governor Tina Kotek said she had been informed by the Pentagon that the president had assumed control of the state’s reservists, citing powers to quell “rebellion” or disorder. Speaking at a press conference, she insisted there was no justification for military intervention. “When the president and I spoke yesterday, I told him in very plain language that there is no insurrection, or threat to public safety that…

Sandu’s electoral hopes rest heavily on the Moldovan diaspora, which has traditionally supported PAS, as well as younger, urban voters.