Decades of conflict has made Iraq a hotbed for trafficking. From weapons to drugs, Iraq has dominated headlines. However, less attention has been focused on the trafficking of wild animals. In fact, the Middle East is considered one of the hubs of animal trafficking. Our correspondent in Iraq, Lucile Wassermann, went to meet the players in the trading of wildlife to understand the drivers behind it.

Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor, says the geopolitical volatility and limited supplies mean oil prices will continue to rise and are likely to pass well beyond the symbolic $100 per barrel level.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has changed the lives of many Ukrainians. DW reporter Oleksandr Kunyzkyj visited the western city of Lviv which has seen thousands of people arriving from different parts of the country.

Crude oil futures touched 13-year highs on Monday as the US and UK signalled a willingness to include the previously untouched Russian energy sector in sanctions. Meanwhile, more US firms and Chinese social media giant TikTok are suspending Russian operations, and new UK laws to sanction Russian oligarchs could mean big changes for London's luxury real estate market.

Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday.⁣⁣

Shady Rabab and his band play instruments he makes from trash. The Egyptian also offers workshops on instrument-making and recycling at schools.

Paris-based Ukrainian DJ and producer Kate Zubok had to cancel a tour of her homeland and put her musical projects on hold following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. She tells us how the conflict has affected her personally and professionally and how she is trying to remain positive. Up-and-coming Parisian electro popster Lewis OfMan also stopped by the FRANCE 24 studios to tell us about his upbeat, sundrenched debut album "Sonic Poems", which he's currently touring across Europe.

The omicron variant is driving case numbers in parts of China to levels not seen since coronavirus first emerged. But keeping case numbers at near zero means continued disruptions and lockdowns.

The number of people impacted by gun violence in the United States has surged dramatically recently. DW’s Ines Pohl reports from Washington DC, which has seen its highest number of shootings in 16 years.

This week, we chat to pianist Min-Jung Kym about the book "La Musique Pour Dépasser Le Cancer", which she has co-authored. Scheduled to be published in English in October, it explores music as a form of additional therapy when it comes to cancer treatment. She has also recorded a compilation album for the book entitled "Sounds For The Soul".

Lagos State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Akin Abayomi speaks to GuardianTV on how Lagos fought the deadly Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). An infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that killed millions of people all around the world including Lagos.

We look at the major takeaways from the first round of the French presidential election, which saw Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen qualify for the run-off on April 24. The French press focuses on the rise of far-right and far-left candidates as well as the decline of centrist parties. Meanwhile, international papers report on how a win for either Macron or Le Pen would affect European support for Kyiv amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.