UN mission has been 'unable to stabilise' the Congo since the end of the 1994 Rwanda genocide

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.

An atmospheric river has led to severe flooding in the Pacific Northwest, affecting areas in both Canada and the United States. Thousands of residents are preparing to evacuate as torrential rain continues to impact the region, raising concerns about safety and infrastructure damage.

More than 400 civilians have been killed in ongoing fighting in the Uvira region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since December 1st, as reported by regional officials. The violence has escalated despite recent diplomatic efforts to broker peace in the area, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation.

Rwanda has denied any involvement in the recent violence in South Kivu, instead blaming the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi for violating a peace agreement reached in Washington. The Rwandan government has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and adherence to the terms of the accord, as reported by FRANCE 24’s Juliette Montilly.

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.

Maria Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, publicly confirmed that the United States assisted her in escaping Venezuela to attend the award ceremony in Norway. She expressed support for potential U.S. military action against the Maduro regime, emphasizing her commitment to returning to Venezuela despite the risks involved.

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.

As the United States pressures Ukraine to accept a peace plan favoring Russia, President Zelensky is seeking support from European allies. The UK, France, and Germany are spearheading the 'Coalition of the Willing' to provide military backing and counterbalance U.S. influence, while the EU is advocating for the release of €200 billion in frozen Russian assets to bolster Ukraine's defense.