In Bukavu, eastern DRC, chaos ensues as the M23 rebel group advances, causing sporadic gunfire and looting, including at a World Food Programme depot. Conflicting reports emerged about the rebels entering Bukavu after seizing Kavumu airport. The UN and EU expressed alarm, with fears of regional war after Uganda’s army chief threatened a Congolese town. UN Secretary-General Guterres urged avoiding escalation and respecting DRC’s sovereignty. The EU is considering responses to the territorial violations. The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of exploiting the region’s resources, a claim Rwanda denies. Thousands have been displaced. Penelope Kingsley 16/02/2025 3:30 am
Ukrainian President Zelensky warned that guaranteed US support for Europe is over, urging Europe to unite with a common army and foreign policy. His comments followed a Trump-Putin call that raised concerns in Kyiv about being excluded from negotiations. Zelensky criticized Trump’s lack of emphasis on European involvement, highlighting a shift in US-Europe relations. Despite assurances from US envoy Keith Kellogg that Ukraine would be included in peace talks, Europe would not be direct participants. Zelensky expressed unease over Trump’s prioritization of talks with Putin. Ava Sinclair 16/02/2025 12:00 am
Israel released 369 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages captured by Hamas, amid a fragile ceasefire. The released include 36 individuals sentenced to life for deadly attacks, with 12 returning to the West Bank and east Jerusalem, while 24 were exiled. The remaining 333 were detained in Gaza after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Israel plans to release over 1,000 detainees who didn’t participate in the attack as part of the ceasefire agreement. Ava Sinclair 16/02/2025 12:00 am
The U.S. has asked European nations about potential security contributions for Ukraine amid efforts to end the war with Russia, according to Finland’s president. A document with questions on troop contributions and security arrangements was sent to European allies. The U.S. expects Europe to lead in establishing a security framework. The Financial Times reported the request, which aims to gauge European perspectives on negotiations and engagement. The document includes six questions, with one specifically for EU member states. Penelope Kingsley 16/02/2025 12:00 am
Panic gripped Bukavu, Congo’s second-largest city, as residents and soldiers fled from advancing Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. Despite entering Bukavu’s outskirts, M23 didn’t take full control, though they seized an airport earlier. Calm returned after Congolese troops withdrew, but looting and violence ensued, with corpses found in the streets. Factories were pillaged, and prisons emptied, while electricity and communication remained mostly intact. The Congo River Alliance blamed Congolese troops and allies for the chaos. Ava Sinclair 16/02/2025 12:00 am
At least 15 people died in a crush at a New Delhi railway station as crowds rushed to catch trains to the Kumbh Mela, a major religious gathering. The event, held every 12 years in Prayagraj, has a history of crowd-related disasters. The victims included 10 women and three children. Most deaths were likely due to hypoxia or blunt injuries. Authorities have launched an inquiry, and the situation is now under control. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed condolences and support for the affected families. Ava Sinclair 16/02/2025 12:00 am
Israel and Hamas completed their sixth exchange of hostages and prisoners amid a fragile ceasefire. Israel released 369 Palestinian prisoners after receiving three Israeli hostages. The exchange resumed after Egypt and Qatar mediated to ensure humanitarian aid reached Gaza. The first phase of the ceasefire ends in two weeks, with potential war resumption in March if no agreement is reached on returning all hostages. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Trump commented on the situation, supporting Israel’s decisions regarding the hostages. Ava Sinclair 15/02/2025 8:30 pm
UN chief Antonio Guterres emphasized the need to preserve the DRC’s territorial integrity after M23 fighters attacked Bukavu. At an AU summit, he warned against regional escalation. M23, reportedly backed by Rwanda, claims control of strategic areas in eastern DRC. Despite Rwanda’s denial of supporting M23, UN experts suggest otherwise. The AU faces criticism for its inaction, while DRC’s President Tshisekedi calls for international sanctions against Rwanda. The situation threatens regional stability, with calls for a ceasefire and decisive action. Ava Sinclair 15/02/2025 8:30 pm
Hamas released three Israeli hostages—Sagui Dekel-Chen, Yair Horn, and Alexander Troufanov—in exchange for 369 Palestinian prisoners as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel. This marks the sixth swap since the ceasefire began on January 19, 2025. So far, 19 hostages and over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners have been freed, with expectations of 33 hostages and 1,900 prisoners released by the end of the deal’s first stage. The hostages were transferred to a hospital in Israel, while freed Palestinians were welcomed in Gaza and the West Bank. Ava Sinclair 15/02/2025 5:00 pm
Rebels from the Rwandan-backed M23 group have entered Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, after a rapid advance. M23 fighters encountered little resistance as they moved towards the city center, causing civilians to flee. The capture of Bukavu would give M23 control over the Lake Kivu area, marking a significant territorial expansion since their insurgency began in 2022. The Congolese army withdrew after the rebels seized the Kavumu airport. Ava Sinclair 15/02/2025 5:00 pm
