Police accused of killing pot-banging protesters

Anthony Irungu / BBC The mourners at a cemetery in crisis-hit Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, were strikingly young – children shedding tears as they bade farewell to a 16-year-old friend, who was shot dead while banging pots and pans in an opposition-organised protest against the outcome of last month’s presidential election. “Antonio was shot in the … Read more

Nicaragua approves reforms boosting power of President Ortega and his wife | Civil Rights News

Legislators greenlight reforms giving more authority to Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, accused of stifling dissent. Legislators in Nicaragua have approved a constitutional amendment that will strengthen the power of longtime President Daniel Ortega, who has been accused of cracking down on critics and political challengers. The reforms, which 79-year-old Ortega sent to Congress this … Read more

Central Beirut hit by massive Israeli air strikes

Israel has carried out massive air strikes on central Beirut, Lebanese media say, and there are reports of several deaths. An eight-storey residential building was completely destroyed with five missiles in the capital’s Basta district, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA). Hezbollah’s al-Manar media outlet quoted the Lebanese health ministry as saying four people … Read more

Lt Gen Hodges (ret): Putin's war on Ukraine 'could've ended last year' had West provided 'the tools'

As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeals to allies for updated air-defence systems to meet the new threat from Russia, involving an experimental hypersonic missile, FRANCE 24’s Gavin Lee welcomes Retired US Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, former Commanding General of US Army Europe. Lt. Gen. Hodges asserts that, despite numerous threats, Russia will never start a … Read more