Ousmane Sonko said his government would not seek a deal to restructure its debt despite facing repayment difficulties

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Venezuela's government has started freeing detainees considered by rights groups as political prisoners, in what officials have referred to as a goodwill gesture. US president Donald Trump said the move came at the request of the United States.

The Ugandan presidential candidate known as Bobi Wine wears a flak jacket and helmet while campaigning to protect himself from gunfire. But the safety gear offers no protection from the stinging clouds of tear gas that often follow him on the campaign trail

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It said the capture President Nicolas Maduro and his wife was a serious violation of international law.

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Somalia’s government insists Somaliland remains an integral part of the country and warns that international recognition could destabilise the Horn of Africa.

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Ukraine faced fresh damage in Kyiv on 9 January after a Russian air strike hit several districts, killing four and injuring at least 24. Emergency crews are working to clear debris and restore services.

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Twenty-two people died in the 2 January attack in Masisi which the rebels claim was carried out by the Congolese army.

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Somalia remains heavily dependent on international aid, with the U.S. providing $770 million in assistance last year, though only a small share went directly to the government. It remains unclear how much aid will be affected by Washington’s suspension.

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The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group held Thursday a symbolic burial for 22 civilians killed in a drone strike earlier this month in the North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

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Syria sees mass displacement in Aleppo as clashes between government forces and Kurdish fighters intensify amid stalled political talks.

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After Renee Good was shot dead during an ICE operation, protesters took to the streets of Minneapolis to demand accountability and the withdrawal of federal agents.

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The shooting comes just a day after an ICE officer killed a driver in Minnesota, further intensifying tensions over President Donald Trump’s expanded immigration enforcement in U.S. cities, and sparking renewed protests in Portland, a city long at odds with the administration.

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The fighting comes amid stalled negotiations between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces, despite a deal signed earlier this year to merge SDF forces into the Syrian army by the end of 2025.

Egypt's foreign minister Badr Abdelatty met with visiting EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, in Cairo on Thursday.

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Demonstrators took to the streets of the South African capital to denounce the US' recent atack on Venezuela, during which ousted president Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pledged deeper cooperation on issues including trade, infrastructure, energy and transportation.

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Parties competing in Benin's local and parliamentary elections ended their campaigning on Friday, ahead of the vote this weekend. It comes just over a month after the attempted coup that shook Cotonou.

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China will lead a joint military drill hosted by South Africa. Russian ships are also expected to join the exercises.

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The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas drew large crowds on its second day. Robots and AI helpers took centre stage at the Consumer Electronics Show, featuring everything from cyber pets to laundry-folding machines.

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