NORTHERN IRELAND: Police and politicians have condemned a “reckless” car bombing that took place yesterday in Derry. Nobody was injured in the blast. 

City mayor John Boyle said violence “is the past and it has to stay in the past.”

VATICAN: Church assurances that it had only learned of sexual abuse allegations against an Argentinian bishop close to the Pope a few months ago have been challenged.

Former vicar-general Juan Jose Manzano said the Vatican had accepted Bishop Gustavo Zanchetta’s resignation in 2017 and had been informed of inappropriate behaviour — including sexual harassment of adult seminarians and sending naked selfies — as early as 2015.

D-R CONGO: After weeks of dispute the Constitutional Court confirmed the presidential victory of Felix Tshisekedi today.

Runner-up Martin Fayulu called for non-violent protests against the ruling.

Mr Tshisekedi, whose victory was called into question by the Catholic Church among other institutions, said he would campaign “to reconcile all Congolese.”

YEMEN: Saudi Arabia’s coalition launched new bombing raids over the Yemeni capital Sanaa at the weekend, the first since a ceasefire agreement was struck last month.

Security officials loyal to the Houthi movement the Saudis are seeking to crush said the bombs hit a food factory, killing two workers, and a plastics factory.