CONGO: Gunmen allied with the Islamic State group in eastern Congo have killed at least 41 people in several villages in North Kivu province, the national government said today.

The statement said Friday’s attacks were carried out by Allied Democratic Forces gunmen in the villages of Masala, Mahihi and Keme.

Local civil society members asserted that the true toll was higher, with as many as 80 killed.

SWITZERLAND: Nearly 90 countries and organisations, half from Europe, have confirmed attending the Swiss-hosted so-called Ukraine peace summit this coming Saturday and Sunday.

Swiss President Viola Amherd told reporters today that the summit will aim to chart a path toward a possible peace nearly 28 months after Russian forces invaded Ukraine. 

Prospects for progress towards peace appear remote as Russia has not been invited to attend.

SOUTH KOREA: The South Korean military said today it had detected signs that North Korea is installing its own loudspeakers along their heavily armed border, a day after the South blared anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts over its speakers for the first time in years.

The South’s resumption of its loudspeaker broadcasts on Sunday was in retaliation for the North sending over 1,000 balloons filled with rubbish and manure over the last couple of weeks. 

KOSOVO: The people of Kosovo today celebrated the 25th anniversary of the withdrawal of Serbian forces following a 78-day Nato bombing campaign.

About 13,000 people died and about one million were deported until the Nato bombing resulted in the Serbian withdrawal and the establishment of an international force known as Kosovo Force.