Rwanda rejects responsibility for South Kivu violence, blames DRC and Burundi

Tens of thousands of residents in western North America are under evacuation orders as heavy rains have caused rivers to overflow, particularly affecting Washington state and British Columbia. Authorities continue to warn that water levels are rising, and the risk of flooding remains high following several days of intense storms.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that the United States has urged Ukraine to withdraw from the Donbas region and establish a 'free economic zone', suggesting that Russian troops may remain without further advances. This development highlights ongoing diplomatic pressures amid the conflict with Russia.

M23 rebels, allegedly supported by Rwanda, have advanced into the city of Uvira in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), transforming it into a ghost town amid escalating violence. The Red Cross is treating numerous casualties at a hospital that is struggling to cope with the influx of injured individuals, just days after a peace agreement was signed between DRC and Rwanda.

Rwanda-backed fighters have reportedly seized control of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), although the Congolese government has not confirmed this loss. The situation has escalated rapidly, with the UN indicating that approximately 200,000 people have been displaced in just five days due to the advancing conflict. Emmet Livingstone, reporting from Kinshasa, highlights the deteriorating conditions in the region.

The U.S. military has seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, as confirmed by President Donald Trump. This action marks a significant escalation in the U.S. pressure campaign against the Venezuelan government led by Nicolás Maduro, reflecting ongoing tensions between Washington and Caracas.

Over 400 civilians have been reported killed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amid escalating violence attributed to Rwandan-backed rebel groups, with the government accusing Rwanda of violating a recent peace truce. The conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties, including women and children, raising alarms about the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Bajun Mavalwalla, an Afghanistan war veteran, has been arrested on felony conspiracy charges following his participation in a protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Spokane, Washington. He maintains his innocence and is preparing for a jury trial, while others arrested during the same protest have opted for plea agreements to avoid lengthy prison sentences.

The Rwanda-backed M23 militia has captured the strategic eastern DR Congo town of Uvira, escalating violence in the region just after a peace deal was signed in Washington between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Félix Tshisekedi. This development has led to significant civilian displacement, with approximately 200,000 people fleeing the area as fighting intensifies.