Residents of the besieged city of Goma, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, say they are gripped by fear as gunshots continue to ring out around their homes, days after rebel forces claimed they had taken over.

The Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have released captured Romanian mercenaries who were fighting with the Congolese army. As they passed a border, they were chastised by Willy Ngoma, who tapped them mockingly one by one.

Rebels appear to be edging closer to taking control of the key city of Goma in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo following reports that they had captured its airport. The Congolese government has insisted that it is still in charge as fighting in parts of the city continues.

In our news wrap Tuesday, a rebel group backed by Rwanda has claimed the critical Congo city of Goma, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at limiting gender transition for anyone under the age of 19 and Oklahoma's Board of Education voted unanimously to require parents to provide proof of their child's immigration status when enrolling them in public schools.

Diplomatic missions, including the French Embassy, were targeted in Congo’s capital as violence escalates with a rebel offensive in eastern Goma. The attacks reflect growing instability and tensions between armed groups and the government in the region.