DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: More than 170 inmates on death row were flown from the capital Kinshasa to a high-security prison in the north where they will be executed, authorities said today.

The men have been convicted of armed robbery and are locally known as “kulunas” (urban bandits). They are aged between 18 and 35, Congolese Justice Minister Constant Mutamba said in a statement. 

He did not say when the executions would take place.

FRANCE: President Emmanuel Macron said today that there was a need for “realistic discussions on territorial questions,” relating to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

During a major foreign policy speech, the president called on the United States to “help change the nature of the situation and convince Russia to come to the negotiating table.”

He added that “the Europeans will have to construct security guarantees for Ukraine, which will be primarily their responsibility.”

UKRAINE: Russian troops in the country’s east have captured the stronghold of Kurakhove in the Donetsk region, Russia’s Defence Ministry said today.

The claim, which drew no response from the Ukrainian authorities, came the day after the Russian Defence Ministry said Ukrainian forces had launched a new thrust in Russia’s Kursk border region.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Criminal barristers began a four-week withdrawal today from legally aided crown court cases.

The industrial action over legal aid is set to run until January 31 and follows a one-day strike by criminal barristers and solicitors last November.

The Criminal Bar Association, which has organised the withdrawal, described the latest action as a “necessary response” to barristers doing more for “significantly less.”