‘My son and I could lose everything – all because of a Home Office mix-up’

Separate mass shootings in South Africa townships leave at least 27 people dead

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Two separate mass shootings near South Africa’s two biggest cities killed at least 27 people, police said Sunday. The South African Police Service said 17 people were killed Saturday night when eight suspects armed with AK-47 rifles and pistols opened fire at a bar in Wedela township, southwest of Johannesburg. At least 15 others sustained gunshot injuries in that attack, police said. In a separate statement, police said 10 people were killed in a mass shooting at a store in Lwandle, near Cape Town, around 1 a.m. Sunday. Another 11 were wounded in that shooting. Police said they were searching for multiple suspects in that case also, though they didn't give an exact number. The two shootings come just days after a mass shooting by three gunmen at a house party near the east coast city of Durban killed 11 people, including a pregnant woman. No arrests had been made in the two latest mass shootings, police said. South Africa has struggled with high rates of violent crime for years, but the series of mass shootings this week were shocking even to a country used

‘No one is off the table’: Trump admin denies report of ICE pausing arrests of non-criminal illegal migrants

The week in pictures: Trump hosts Xi, the pope visits France and floods ravage Thailand

From Pope Leo XIV's historic first visit to France to US President Donald Trump meeting China's President Xi Jinping to flooded streets in Bangkok, FRANCE 24 looks back at the week's most striking pictures.

Poland fears Ukraine war could spill over

In Poland, a close ally of neighbouring Ukraine, concerns are growing that the war could spill across the border. Our next report comes from Suwałki, a city in a region bordering Russia and Belarus that is considered particularly sensitive for NATO countries. Caitlin Brown reports.

Heathrow expansion faces fresh hurdle as UK PM withholds third runway backing

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has voiced significant concerns regarding the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport. He pointed out the necessity of addressing the long-standing worries of local residents. The expansion's timeline could stretch by four years, with operations potentially starting in 2039. Heathrow's struggle with capacity issues sharply contrasts with other major European airports, fueling an ongoing debate centered on community impact and infrastructure demands.

Two mass shootings in South Africa leave 27 dead

The two attacks hours apart come as the country struggles to stop high levels of gang-related armed violence.

Russia intensifies hybrid war beyond Ukraine, rattling Europe 

European leaders are raising alarm that Russia is intensifying its years-long hybrid war against NATO member states, lashing out as it struggles to make decisive gains in its nearly five-year war against Ukraine.  Officials say the attacks against European countries include sabotage against infrastructure, targeted violence against political opponents or perceived enemies, and hostile influence...

Australia v South Africa LIVE: Latest score and updates as Springboks hit Wallabies early in Perth

The two sides collide with little more than 12 months until the World Cup

Doctor begs women to attend smear tests: ‘Cervical cancer is completely preventable’

GP urges women to ‘not feel ashamed’ about gynaecological health: ‘This could save your lives’

Nepal’s flooding disaster set to pile billions onto its national debt

Exclusive: New analysis of climate disasters shared with The Independent shows how they are sending the national debt of countries soaring, as campaigners warn much more must be done to compensate vulnerable countries that have done little to cause the climate crisis. Nick Ferris reports

Russian strikes kill four in Ukraine

Meanwhile, Moscow and Kyiv continued to exchange strikes on Saturday, with Russian attacks killing at least four people across Ukraine. As both sides intensify their aerial attacks, US President Donald Trump said he hoped Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin would reach an agreement and “settle” their differences. Morgan Ayre reports.