In Bangladesh, families of victims who were abducted and held in secret detention centres are calling for justice. A commission has found children among hundreds of people imprisoned -- during deposed leader Sheikh Hasina's tenure. She was overthrown in a student-led uprising last year.

One of the major problems facing the Chinese government at this week’s National People’s Congress is the real estate sector. The building boom, which for so long fuelled rapid growth, stuttered during the economic slowdown, leaving developers crippled by debt and investors empty handed.

Children in Gaza face lasting wounds from war, with many injured by unexploded ordnance in their homes and streets. Aid groups work to rehabilitate victims and raise awareness about these hidden dangers. Families struggle to secure medical care, while injured children undergo therapy to recover. Efforts focus on preventing future tragedies through education. Despite the challenges, resilience and hope persist among survivors. With international support, aid organisations aim to expand their reach. Healing extends beyond physical recovery to rebuilding lives.

A Bangladeshi student group that led an uprising to oust Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year has started a new political party. The launch of the National Citizen Party was celebrated on Friday with a major rally.

G20 finance ministers and central bank governors are meeting in Cape Town, but several key members are absent. The US Treasury Secretary cited obligations in Washington, following the Secretary of State’s absence at a G20 meeting in Johannesburg. Meanwhile, African leaders are pushing for debt relief as defaults and rising living costs affect several nations. South Africa is using its G20 presidency to advance African interests, but shrinking foreign aid and US disengagement raise concerns. Critics question the G20’s relevance as major finance ministers skip meetings. Analysts warn of geopolitical shifts affecting global stability. South Africa aims to prioritise debt sustainability and energy transition, but reduced US support may hinder these efforts.

In South Sudan, a family of nine was ambushed by armed men in military uniforms while driving home from a funeral. One relative was killed, and the attackers threatened to burn them alive before stealing their possessions. The incident highlights the country’s ongoing instability, seven years after a peace deal ended a civil war. Political turmoil and ethnically targeted violence are rising, with communities once living peacefully now divided. Despite efforts by local leaders to reduce tensions, politicians are accused of stoking conflict for power. Meanwhile, the government blames a UN arms embargo for delaying the implementation of the peace agreement, leaving civilians like the ambushed family desperate for safety.

China’s defence budget has grown annually since 2013, reaching $245 billion this year, second only to the US Its military expansion includes the world’s largest navy, with aircraft carriers, assault ships, and advanced submarines. The air force has developed stealth jets and AI-powered unmanned fighters to enhance combat capabilities. A fourth aircraft carrier, expected to be nuclear-powered, is in development. President Xi Jinping emphasises military readiness, aiming not just to prevail but to win future conflicts. Advanced AI and drone technology remain key focuses in China’s military strategy.

More than a hundred Indian migrants deported from the US say they were mistreated. They report being handcuffed throughout a grueling 40-hour flight on a military aircraft. The mass deportation is part of President Donald Trump’s broader crackdown on illegal immigration, raising concerns over human rights violations.

Israel's air strikes on Gaza have wiped out entire families overnight. Palestinians say the intensity of the attacks resembles the early days of the war. Dozens of bodies have been brought to al-Ahli Hospital, the last health facility still partially functioning in Gaza City.

Israel has launched a major assault on Gaza, shattering the fragile two-month-old ceasefire between its forces and Hamas. At least 237 people have been killed in renewed Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip, including many children. Israel's military is now threatening to increase those attacks.