What do South Korea, Congo, and Ecuador have in common?

Special Feature

1.9 Billion Muslims Across the World Celebrate Eid al-Fitr

After a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection during Ramadan, Muslims across the globe celebrated Eid al-Fitr on March 30 - a joyful holiday that marks the end of the holy month. Celebrations lasted one to three days, with many people traveling from major cities to their hometowns and villages to be with loved ones. In Egypt, children showed off their new Eid outfits, received small cash gifts known as eidiya, and helped bake sweet Eid cookies. But for many, the joy of the holiday came alongside heavier realities. From renewed Israeli airstrikes in Gaza despite a ceasefire, to political uncertainty following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.

Read more | Hear greetings in different languages

Asia & the Pacific

South Korea Removes President in Historic Impeachment Ruling

In a historic decision, South Korea’s Constitutional Court has unanimously upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, following his controversial declaration of martial law last December. The ruling caps months of mass protests, political turmoil, and growing public distrust in the government. Emotions ran high outside the courthouse — anti-Yoon protesters wept with relief while his supporters shouted and sobbed, some directing their anger at the press. The country will now hold a snap presidential election within 60 days, likely on June 3rd. With South Korea deeply divided, the race is expected to be fiercely contested.

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Myanmar’s military junta declares a ceasefire after earthquake deaths rise above 3,000. The move is aimed at facilitating humanitarian relief and will last until April 22. Read more

China, Japan, South Korea reach an agreement in the face of Trump’s tariffs. The region’s top three economies pledged to promote regional trade on March 31st at a trilateral summit - a sign of rising anxiety about another round of global trade wars. Read more

Latin America & the Caribbean

Ecuador’s González Wins Key Endorsement Ahead of Run-off

Ecuador is headed to a presidential runoff on April 13 after no candidate secured an outright majority. Incumbent Noboa faced a serious setback this week when Luisa González, of the left-wing Citizen Revolution Movement, received the endorsement of the Indigenous coalition, Pachakutik. González earned their support after incorporating key Indigenous concerns into her campaign platform. With Indigenous voters comprising a quarter of Ecuador's electorate, the group has emerged as a kingmaker in recent elections—a shift that reflects the changing political landscape in a country traditionally controlled by elites.

Read more | More about Pachakutik

With gang violence spiraling out of control, thousands of Haitians have taken to the streets demanding safety and stability. United as the Viv Ansanm coalition, armed gangs have forced over 1 million people from their homes and are accused of extortion, mass rapes, and killings. Read more

Brazil's federal intelligence agency is under fire after a major news outlet exposed its surveillance of Paraguayan officials. The revelations prompted Paraguay to launch investigations and suspend negotiations over a key binational hydroelectric dam. Read more

Africa

M23 Rebels Withdraw from Key Town Before Peace Talks in Doha

In a potential turning point for one of Africa's deadliest ongoing conflicts, the M23 rebel group has withdrawn from Walikale in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The withdrawal comes just days before planned peace talks in Doha, Qatar on April 9—negotiations that have been months in the making. The M23 has been locked in a violent standoff with government forces, causing thousands of deaths, displacing hundreds of thousands of people, and destabilizing the mineral-rich region. Many observers anxiously await the results of the peace talks, fearing the conflict could escalate into a wider regional war.

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At least 95 people arrested in Zimbabwe following anti-Mnangagwa demonstrations on charges of promoting public violence. Demonstrations arose after Mnangagwa’s party called to extend Mnangagwa’s term by 2 years until 2030. Read more

Ghana unveil plans for a West Africa’s largest floating solar project on Lake Volta. The project is part of efforts to raise renewable energy use to 10% by 2030. Read more

Middle East

Turkey Detains 11 Over Grassroots Economic Boycott

In Turkey, a growing economic protest has drawn a firm response from authorities. Police detained 11 people linked to a grassroots campaign urging consumers to boycott businesses perceived as aligned with President Erdoğan’s government. The movement is in response to the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. While officials claim the boycott incites public hostility, the opposition argue the detentions reflect increasing authoritarianism.

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France warned that a military conflict with Iran is “almost inevitable” if nuclear negotiations collapse. The statement adds urgency to ongoing efforts to restart diplomacy ahead of the expiration of the 2015 Accord. Read more

Kurdish forces have begun retreating from parts of Aleppo, Syria under deal with the central government. The move paves the way for a potential merger between Kurdish authority and Syrian Democratic Forces. Read more

Eastern Europe

Hungary leaves the ICC after Netanyahu visits

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met in Budapest this week to strengthen bilateral defense ties and share their skepticism of international legal bodies. Hours later, the Hungarian government announced its intent to leave the ICC, which issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu. Orbán claimed the ICC was “no longer an impartial court, not a court of law, but a political court.”

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Bosnia’s autonomous Serb Republic have declared a German official persona non grata after Germany imposed sanctions, escalating political tensions in the region. Read more

A deadly nightclub fire in North Macedonia has now claimed 60 lives. Protests have erupted across the country, while PM Hristijan Mickoski has said his opponents are seeking to weaken his government. Read more