The Guardian·Saturday, December 13, 2025

The Guardian - Saturday, December 13, 2025

10 stories~15 min

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US scolds Rwanda for breaking peace deal as M23 rebels seize key Congo city

Mike Waltz warns ‘spoilers’ will be held to account as rebel fighters escalate offensive in South Kivu province The US has accused Rwanda of violating a US-brokered peace agreement by backing a deadly new rebel offensive in the mineral-rich eastern Congo, and warned action will be taken against “spoilers”. The remarks by the US ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, came as more than 400 civilians have been killed since the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels escalated their offensive in eastern Congo’s South K

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US ends temporary legal status for Ethiopians amid Trump crackdown

Kristi Noem says Ethiopia ‘no longer meets conditions’ for US to provide work authorization and legal protection The US is ending temporary legal status for citizens of Ethiopia in the United States, according to a government notice on Friday, as the Trump administration continues its crackdown on legal and illegal immigration. “After reviewing country conditions and consulting with appropriate US government agencies, the secretary determined that Ethiopia no longer continues to meet the conditi

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UK imposes sanctions on four RSF officers for ‘heinous’ mass killings in Sudan

Senior commanders accused of atrocities against civilians face asset freezes – but no action against key backer UAE The UK has placed sanctions on four senior commanders of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces suspected of involvement in “heinous” violence against civilians in the city of El Fasher, but decided not to take any action against their key military and diplomatic backer, the United Arab Emirates, or their chief commander. British officials suggested they preferred to use their

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Fate of 11 Nigerian troops unclear after ‘unauthorised’ plane landing in Burkina Faso

Confusion over diplomatic standoff deepens after conflicting reports about the soldiers’ whereabouts Eleven Nigerian military personnel are reportedly still in Burkina Faso days after their plane made an “unauthorised” landing in the south-west city of Bobo Dioulasso, despite earlier suggestions they had been freed, deepening confusion about the diplomatic standoff. Burkinabé authorities told the BBC on Tuesday that the troops had been released and given permission to return to Nigeria, but offi

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Burkina Faso releases 11 Nigerian troops after ‘unauthorised’ plane landing

Military personnel told they can return to Nigeria after actions described as ‘unfriendly act’ Fate of 11 Nigerian troops unclear after ‘unauthorised’ plane landing in Burkina Faso Authorities in Burkina Faso have released 11 Nigerian military personnel held after a cargo plane from Lagos made an “unauthorised” emergency landing in its second largest city, Bobo-Dioulasso. The breakaway regional Association of Sahel States (AES) said on Monday that the C-130 aircraft had entered Burkina Faso’s

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Venezuela oil exports reportedly fall sharply after US seizure of tanker

The seizure of the Skipper on Wednesday marked the first US capture of Venezuelan oil cargo since sanctions were imposed in 2019 Venezuelan oil exports have reportedly fallen sharply since the US seized a tanker this week and imposed fresh sanctions on shipping companies and vessels doing business with Caracas, according to shipping data, documents and maritime sources. The US seizure of the Skipper tanker off Venezuela’s coast on Wednesday was the first US capture of Venezuelan oil cargo since

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US treasury lifts sanctions on Brazilian judge who presided over Bolsonaro case

Justice Alexandre de Moraes and his wife had been under Global Magnitsky sanctions after conviction of ex-president The US Department of the Treasury has lifted sanctions imposed on the Brazilian supreme court justice who oversaw the conviction of the former president Jair Bolsonaro. Justice Alexandre de Moraes had been under Global Magnitsky sanctions, which target individuals accused of human rights abuses, since July. His wife Viviane Barci de Moraes – who was added the sanctions list in Sept

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Colombian rebels warn civilians of military drills amid ‘imperialist’ Trump threats

Citizens told to stay at home while ELN guerrillas carry out exercises in response to US president’s cocaine warning Colombia’s ELN guerrilla group has ordered civilians in areas under its control to stay home for three days starting on Sunday, while it carries out military exercises in response to “intervention” threats from Donald Trump. The US president said earlier this month that any country that produces cocaine and sells it to the United States was “subject to attack”. Continue reading..

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Canada’s Liberals edge closer to majority after Conservative lawmaker crosses floor

Rookie Michael Ma leaves Conservative party for ‘steady, practical approach’ of Mark Carney’s government Canada’s ruling Liberals have edged closer to a majority government after a Conservative lawmaker crossed the floor, in yet another blow to the struggling Tories. Rookie lawmaker Michael Ma said late on Thursday that he had decided to leave the Conservative party, for “the steady, practical approach” of prime minister Mark Carney’s government, which he said would “deliver on the priorities I

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Flooding remains threat in Pacific north-west as Washington declares emergency

Torrential rain has caused mudslides, washed out roads and submerged vehicles with more deluges expected on Sunday The Pacific north-west is reeling from catastrophic flooding that inundated communities across the region this week, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate and prompting a federal emergency declaration. Torrential rain rapidly filled rivers and triggered flooding on Thursday from Oregon north through Washington state and into British Columbia, causing mudslides and tearing

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