Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have captured the strategic mining hub of Walikale in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

M23 rebels entered Walikale on Wednesday. Spokesperson for the Congolese army, Nestor Mavudisa, confirmed on Thursday that “the enemy” now controlled Walikale. 

The town in North Kivu province is the farthest west that the rebels have reached during its rapid advance that started in January. Earlier this year, M23 seized Goma and Bukavu. 

Authorities in Cyprus have reported that they have retrieved at least 7 bodies after a boat carrying refugees capsized 30 nautical miles southeast of Cape Greco. 

Two people were rescued on Monday, there is still an unspecified number of people believed to be missing. 

Cyprus Defense Minister, Vasilis Palmas said on Tuesday that it was becoming “increasingly unlikely” that more survivors would be found.

The train hijacked by the Baloch rebels. Photo courtesy: Swarajya Mag

White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed on Monday that the Israeli government had informed the Trump administration prior to launching massive air raids on the Gaza Strip overnight. 

Gaza’s Ministry of Health has reported that the latest assault by Israel has killed over 400 people with the majority being women, children, and the elderly. 

Rwanda says it has cut diplomatic ties with Belgium and ordered all of their country’s diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours, drawing a swift response from Brussels.

In a statement on Monday, the Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation accused Belgium of “consistently” undermining Kigali “during the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lashed out against a United Nations report accusing Israel of committing "genocidal acts" against Palestinians, calling the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) an "antisemitic, rotten, terrorist-supporting and irrelevant body."

On Wednesday, Bosnian state prosecutors ordered the arrest of Serb separatist leader Milorad Dodik and two of his aides for what it has called an attack on the constitutional order. 

The decision came after Dodik, along with Parliament Speaker Nenad Stevandic and Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic, failed to answer two summons for questioning.