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Almost 8,000 migrants died or vanished on routes in 2025: UN

At least 7,667 people went missing or died on migration routes worldwide last year, according to the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM). The IOM has called for improved financial support for rescue organizations, as well as the dismantling of smuggling networks that put lives at risk. How do the IOM figures stack up? The total was

Court orders pause on AfD extremist designation

An administrative court in the western German city of Cologne on Thursday ordered the country's domestic intelligence agency to cease referring to the political party Alternative for Germany (AfD) as "confirmed right-wing extremist" until the designation's legality can be determined. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) classified the AfD as "certified

Inquest into death of Adichie’s son

A Lagos coroner's court on Thursday scheduled an inquest into the death of the 21-month-old son of author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The case has renewed scrutiny of healthcare standards in Nigeria, where many patients who can afford it seek treatment abroad amid longstanding concerns over infrastructure and patient safety. Who is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie? Chimamanda

Albania: Femicide cases expose gaps in protection system

Laureta* remembers the day she decided to break her silence. After 10 years of continual physical and psychological abuse by her husband, she walked into her local police station in a coastal city in Albania — afraid but with a new determination to save herself and her two daughters. Laureta reported her husband and sought legal protection.

Ukraine updates: Kyiv reports Russian barrage ahead of talks

Skip next section South Africa says 2 citizens died in Ukraine fighting for Russia February 26, 2026 South Africa says 2 citizens died in Ukraine fighting for Russia Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola on Thursday said that at least two South African nationals had died fighting for Russia in the war in Ukraine after being tricked

Fact check: How to cut through Epstein files disinformation

In late January, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) released more than 3.5 million documents related to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The release allowed the public to examine Epstein's connections to celebrities, business leaders and other influential figures. But it also opened a Pandora's box of rumors, misinterpretations and outright disinformation — leaving many struggling

Will Germany elect a woman as head of state?

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's second term in office ends early next year. The center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the environmentalist Greens are campaigning for a woman to succeed him. This would be a first in history: Twelve men have held Germany's top office since the end of World War II. The Green Party floated the

Can Kiir Stabilize South Sudan?

President Salva Kiir's firing of finance minister Bak Barnaba Chol is a symptom of growing instability in South Sudan, analysts say.  Chol had only taken up the post in November 2025. His replacement, Salvatore Garang, served in the same role from 2018 to 2020, but faced corruption allegations. The commissioner general of the South Sudan Revenue Authority, William Anyuon Kuol, and

Lebanon on Edge Over Potential US Strike on Iran

As tensions between the US and Iran threaten to bring a major military conflict to the region, Lebanon's situation is particularly precarious. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has repeatedly said that his country will not interfere in foreign disputes. Earlier this week, he urged Hezbollah to not drag Lebanon into "another adventure." In January, Naim Qassem, secretary-general

Berlinale future hangs in the balance

An emergency meeting Thursday morning of the organization that manages the Berlin International Film Festival, or Berlinale, has left the future of the festival's current head, Tricia Tuttle, open-ended, as the festival continues to reel from controversy related to the Israel-Hamas war.  The meeting had been called by State Minister for Culture Wolfram Weimer to discuss incidents at the recent Berlinale in which, among other things, artists expressed solidarity with Gaza
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