Explosion rocks Rivers State APC rally, Fuel scarcity bites harder in major cities and more

After beginning a strike one week ago, the United Auto Workers union has increased the number of plants affected by industrial action. Until now, workers have been striking at three sites, one each for Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. UAW leader Shawn Fain says that will be increased to 38 factories, all of them GM and Stellantis parts distribution centres. Ford has been spared of further disruption, with the union saying the company has made "important concessions".

The Cook Islands and Niue have been recognized by the United States as "sovereign and independent states." The move appeared to be aimed at curbing further Chinese inroads into the Pacific region.

The German and US defense ministers have said they see no immediate need to leave Niger, following France's decision to withdraw troops. Niamey's junta has been more focused on the former colonial power's presence.

A legend in the world of sailing speaks to FRANCE 24 about her love of the sport and the incredibly tough moments it brings. Kirsten Neuschafer was the overall winner of the 2022 Golden Globe race, beating all of her male competitors in the process. The race entailed almost eight months on her own at sea, without electronic navigation equipment, travelling 30,000 nautical miles around the planet. She spoke to us for Perspective.

House Republicans will try to advance four party-line funding bills this week, though they would not avert a looming government shutdown.

Metal theft by criminal gangs in Germany is alarming the public and businesses. The disruptions they cause are increasingly felt in everyday life. These will worsen as copper prices rise.

A devastating storm has caused extensive damage and widespread flooding across South Africa's Western Cape, with provincial officials warning that the impact on informal settlements would be vast.

Joe Biden makes history by becoming the first sitting US president to join a picket line, making the UAW autoworkers' strike a major battleground for the 2024 presidential race. Also, French papers take a look at what to expect as the government prepares to unveil a plan to tackle school bullying. We then take a look at reactions to the burgeoning refugee crisis in Armenia, and finish with an Economist special on the new science behind reversing ageing.

Britain's Home Secretary Suella Braverman called for governments to rewrite global refugee rules to make them "fit for the modern age." She said "simply being gay, or a woman" should not in itself entitle refuge.

Social and political issues continue to plague South Africa even 30 years after the end of apartheid. Instead of blaming poor leadership and a corrupt government, many are turning their anger against foreigners, with xenophobic attacks on the rise. One anti-immigrant group now even wants to run for office in the 2024 elections. But are migrants linked at all to the state of affairs in the country?

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

Six young people from Portugal are taking European governments to court over an alleged failure to act quickly enough on climate change. The plaintiffs say the lack of immediate action is a breach of their human rights.