GERMANY: Police in Germany said today they were investigating the appearance of swastikas painted with human blood and smeared on almost 50 cars, some mailboxes and building facades in the central town of Hanau.

Police spokesman Thomas Leipold said officers were alerted on Wednesday night when a man reported that he noticed the shape of a swastika applied in a reddish liquid on the bonnet of a parked car.

THE HAGUE: A Dutch appeals court today dismissed an appeal by a group of human rights organisations that argued the Netherlands was violating international law by continuing to sell weapons to Israel.

The Hague Court of Appeal found that although “there is a serious risk that Israel will commit genocide against the Palestinian population in Gaza,” the Dutch government has “considerable discretion” to determine foreign policy and issues of national security.

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African government said today it will investigate how 17 of its citizens were tricked into joining mercenaries in the conflict in Ukraine.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the men were lured into joining mercenary forces “under the pretext of lucrative employment contracts” and had issued distress calls after becoming trapped in Ukraine.

It is not yet clear which side the men were fighting on.

CAMEROON: Long-time leader Paul Biya was sworn in today for a new seven-year term following his victory in last month’s presidential election, which his opposition rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has described as “a constitutional coup.”

Speaking to parliament, the world’s oldest president vowed to maintain the trust of all Cameroonians and work for a “united, stable and prosperous” country.