France's prominent Le Petit Robert dictionary, considered a linguistic authority in the country, recently added a new pronoun to its online edition. The word is "iel", a gender-neutral merging of the masculine "il" (he) and the feminine "elle" (she). This new pronoun, intended for those who identify as neither male nor female, is already used online and by younger generations. But the move to include it in the dictionary provoked a backlash from politicians and linguists. One vocal critic of the new pronoun is French Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer. He says it's the latest expression of "wokism" which, he claims, threatens France's universalist model. We take a closer look.

The former South African president's medical parole was found to be "unlawful". He was instructed to return to jail to serve out the remainder of his sentence.

Will Jacob Zuma return to prison? South Africa's highest court orders the former president to be re-incarcerated after setting aside an earlier decision to release him on medical parole. Meanwhile, the country records close to 27,000 new Covid-19 cases, an all-time record. Plus, European football clubs say they may not release their African players to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations, amid fears surrounding the tournament's Covid-19 health protocol.

As media attention focuses on a group of women sexually assaulted in Milan on New Year's Eve, we take a look at efforts to combat sexism in Italy. Also human rights activists say accusations of sorcery are being used in Kenya to force elderly widows off their land. Plus we've all heard the jokes about women drivers. So in an attempt to end stereotypes, Argentina has included mandatory gender awareness training in its driving school programs.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Thursday⁣⁣

Germany's parliament on Wednesday began a debate on a possible wide-ranging coronavirus vaccine mandate, with three main options on the table so far: obligatory vaccinations for all adults, just for everyone 50 and above, or no mandate at all.

Neil Young's ultimatum to music platform Spotify has generated much comment and debate over the past week. We take a closer look at the stand-off between the Canadian-American singer and the controversial US podcaster Joe Rogan.

The International Court of Justice orders Uganda to pay millions in reparations to Uganda over its role in the conflict in the eastern Congolese province of Ituri in the late 1990s. Also, relief workers struggle to help those caught up in the aftermath of Cyclone Batsirai in Madagascar. And key scientific, political and entrepreneurial voices head to the French city of Brest for the One Ocean Summit event, which is spotlighting the urgent need to protect international waters and marine life.

The International Court of Justice orders Uganda to pay millions in reparations to Uganda over its role in the conflict in the eastern Congolese province of Ituri in the late 1990s. Also, relief workers struggle to help those caught up in the aftermath of Cyclone Batsirai in Madagascar. And key scientific, political and entrepreneurial voices head to the French city of Brest for the One Ocean Summit event, which is spotlighting the urgent need to protect international waters and marine life.

Police and protesters have clashed for a second time outside Parliament as plans for new infrastructure projects, funded by the United States, were debated by lawmakers.

In January, two women's rights organisations filed a petition with the New Delhi's High Court seeking to criminalise marital rape in India. They want to strike down a legal loophole in the Indian penal code which stipulates that rape within a marriage is not against the law. Indian law states that intercourse between a husband and wife over the age of 15 cannot be considered as rape.

Sexual abuse and rape are taboo topics in many African countries — especially in conservative northern Nigeria. But this 'culture of silence' is changing thanks to new online movements like #ArewaMeToo. Can social media increase awareness around sexual violence and bring positive change?