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Rape is widespread in Sudan’s civil war, a United Nations investigation said Tuesday, accusing paramilitaries especially of committing sexual violence on a “staggering” scale.Children are not spared the abuse, with women and girls being abducted for sexual slavery, the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan said in a new report.”There is no safe place …

Sexual violence on ‘staggering’ scale in Sudan civil war: UN probe Read More »

A Belgian court jailed dozens of people Tuesday in one of the country’s biggest ever drug trials, with ringleaders sentenced to up to 17 years behind bars.More than 120 defendants from Belgium, Albania, Colombia and North Africa were accused of having participated in a multinational cocaine and cannabis trafficking enterprise after investigators cracked encrypted messaging apps.Judges …

Dozens jailed in Belgium drug smuggling mega-trial Read More »

Moscow said Tuesday it had seized the war-battered mining town of Selydove in eastern Ukraine where Kyiv’s forces are buckling and as concern grows in Kyiv and abroad over North Korea’s expanding military ties with Russia.The Kremlin’s forces have been advancing rapidly across the sprawling eastern front where exhausted and outgunned Ukrainian troops are having to …

Russia claims Selydove as concern rises over N.Korean troops Read More »

Israel faced an international backlash Tuesday after its parliament approved a bill banning the main United Nations aid agency for the devastated Gaza Strip, where deadly bombing continues.Despite global concerns, including from Israel’s ally the United States, lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to ban the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) from working in Israel and annexed …

Outcry as Israel bans main UN Palestinian aid agency Read More »

Georgia’s central election commission said it will recount ballots Tuesday at some 14 percent of polling stations after opposition parties denounced the weekend parliamentary election as rigged.Pro-Western opposition parties have refused to recognise the results of Saturday’s vote, which they claim was falsified in favour of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Tens of thousands joined …

Georgia to partially recount disputed votes Read More »

Freddie Freeman homered for a record-tying third consecutive game and the Los Angeles Dodgers reached the brink of a World Series title by beating the New York Yankees 4-2 on Monday.Freeman, who smashed a walk-off grand slam to win the opener in Los Angeles, crushed a two-run homer in the first inning and Walker Buehler …

Dodgers beat Yankees to reach brink of World Series crown Read More »

The Vatican on Tuesday publishes its first annual report on protecting minors in the Catholic Church, a move requested by Pope Francis amid pressure for more action to tackle clerical child sex abuse.The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors said its report will be a “first step towards a process of data gathering and …

Pope’s commission against abuse to publish first report Read More »

For decades Achille, 50, eked out a miserable existence living alone in wretched conditions in a cramped circus cage.But better days could lie ahead for the chimpanzee and almost 150 great apes in Spain who stand to benefit from a pioneering bill that would strengthen laws safeguarding their well-being.Animal rights activists hope the draft legislation …

Spain seeks ground-breaking law for great apes Read More »

North Korea has sent 10,000 troops to train in Russia and likely fight Ukraine in weeks, Washington said, as Seoul warned Tuesday that the accelerating deployment posed a “significant security threat.”Seoul has long accused the nuclear-armed North of sending weapons to help Moscow fight Kyiv, and after Kim Jong Un signed a mutual defence deal …

North Korea sent 10,000 troops to train in Russia, US says Read More »

Manchester United are reportedly in talks with Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim to become their next manager after sacking Erik ten Hag following a disastrous start to the season.Time finally ran out for Dutchman Ten Hag with United 14th in the Premier League after a fourth defeat in nine league games at West Ham on Sunday.Despite …

Manchester United target Amorim after axing Ten Hag Read More »