France has formally returned 3 colonial-era skulls to Madagscar -- one of which is believed to belong to a Malagasy king who was beheaded by French troops during a massacre in 1897.His skull then taken back to Paris as a trophy, and placed in the archives of the Natural History Museum. It's the first restitution of human remains since France passed a law to facilitate their return two years ago.
 

In the Atlantic islands of Cape Verde, off the coast of West Africa, recovery efforts are ongoing after Tropical Storm Erin brought torrential downpours. At least nine people were killed and hundreds more were displaced when the rainfall turned streets into raging rivers, triggering landslides and destroying vital infrastructure. Hundreds of families have lost their homes and livelihoods and are now wondering how they will get by.

Two separate investigations by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have revealed devastating human rights abuses in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in areas controlled by the M23 rebels. The reported atrocities include executions and gang rapes of civilians. While M23 has been accused of perpetrating many of these crimes, Congolese state forces have also been implicated. The United Nations has described the decades-long conflict in eastern DR Congo as “one of the most protracted, complex, and serious humanitarian crises on Earth.” 

The world is becoming increasingly dangerous for humanitarian workers. New data from the Aid Worker Security Report reveals that a record 383 aid workers were killed in the line of duty last year. On World Humanitarian Day, we speak with the report’s author to understand the surge in attacks on NGO personnel – and explore what can be done to better protect them.

In Kenya, gambling is increasingly being recognised as a public health issue. More and more people are being drawn to games of chance and sports betting in the hopes of hitting the jackpot. However, many punters are finding themselves trapped in addiction – and financial ruin.

Negotiators in Geneva are scrambling to salvage a global treaty aimed at curbing plastic pollution, as talks enter their final day. Nearly 100 countries are pushing for an agreement, but opposition from oil-producing nations threatens to derail progress.

The United States has imposed sanctions on an armed group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, accusing it of profiting from mineral trafficking. Congolese and Chinese companies linked to this illegal trade have also been sanctioned. This decision comes as Washington seeks to end the conflict in this mineral-rich region and attract US investment. 

Violent clashes have erupted between the Congolese army and the M23 armed group in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, despite a peace treaty, security and local sources told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Monday, August 11. Kinshasa and M23 had signed a declaration of principles on July 19, committing to a permanent ceasefire, following a peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda in late June.

Authorities in South Sudan are sounding the alarm over the country's mental health crisis. Just last month, 12 suicides were reported in Juba in a single week. Clinics offering mental health support are scarce – and many are at risk of shutting down. In 2022, eight centres were opened across the country with the goal of serving over 20,000 people for the first time. However, with funding from Italy and Greece set to expire, their future remains uncertain.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a recent cabinet reshuffle has brought opposition figures into the government – a move President Félix Tshisekedi had been planning for months to promote national unity. The most notable appointment is that of Adolphe Muzito, a former prime minister under Joseph Kabila, who returns to politics after a 13-year absence as the new deputy prime minister for the budget.