Abduction of pupils in Nigeria

According to a report, officials say more than 280 nigerian pupils in the north western town of Koruga were abducted. Reportedly, the pupils were in the assembly ground around 08.30 when dozens of men on motorbikes rode through the school. According to the report, a teacher and the pupils were taken away, one person was killed and a girl had been shot and was receiving medical treatment in a nearby hospital.

Reportedly, almost every family in the town is thought to have a child among those kidnapped. According to the report, hundreds of people have been kidnapped in recent years especially in the north west, however there has been a reduction in the mass abduction of children in the past year. Reportedly, those kidnapped are usually freed after a ransom is paid.

Enquiry

According to a report, on Thursday the idf sent out instructions to commanders regarding how their units are to carry out internal investigations into the military failures that led up to hamas’s October 7 massacre. Reportedly, the investigations are to focus on a time frame starting from the beginning of the March 2018 border protests. According to reports, the Gaza border protests were a series of protests held each Friday until December 2019 near the israeli border. Reportedly, the first protests were organised by independent activists but were soon endorsed by hamas. According to the report, thousands of palestinians took part in the protests which turned to riots; and 223 people were killed by israeli forces.

Reportedly, the reasons for the protests were that palestinians were not allowed to leave Gaza, Israel’s land, air and sea blockade of Gaza and the u.s.’s recognition of Jerusalem as being the capital of Israel.

Some people feel that Israel should treat Samaria and Gaza the same, but Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza in 2015 was exacerbated when hamas and the palestinian authority failed to form a coalition and hamas took control of Gaza. According to reports, hamas was financially endorsed by Saudi Arabia who also deter palestinian attempts to leave Gaza.

Unrest Haiti

According to a report, protests against the haitan prime minister, Ariel Henry resulted in police stations being set on fire, a storming of the airport and the looting or setting on fire of more than twenty other buildings. Reportedly, in 1804 Haiti became the first colonial nation to declare independence, it has experienced political instability for most of its history.

According to the report, Mr Henry who was visiting Kenya to try to establish a multinational force to restore order in Haiti was unable to return as gunmen were trying to take over the airport. Reportedly, thousands of inmates have been freed from two prisons, more than 15,000 people have been displaced in the past week and schools and many hospitals are closed. Reportedly, the president of Guyana said the Caribbean community were unable to reach a compromise between the government and figures in the opposition, private sector and religious organisations.

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso announce force to fight jihadists

According to a report, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have announced they will form a joint force to fight jihadist threats, as groups linked to isis and al-qaeda have killed thousands over the past year. A battle between east and west ensued until the countries severed their relationship with France, a strong military presence in the Sahel for eight years, whom some thought were exploitive. According to the report, minusma, the u.n. in Mali also left in December and Russia have taken over, though according to data the situation hasn’t improved.

Reportedly, the countries have left ecowas who imposed but have since lifted sanctions, in favour of dialogue.

Russia pushes forward

According to a report, since taking Avdiivka russians are advancing west, have taken several villages and are attacking in five areas along the frontline. Reportedly, evacuation from frontline areas is compulsory for families with children, a third of the population has left the ukrainian controlled Donetsk region.

According to the report, Russia is using its size, air superiority and ammunition to push forward at a time when western aid is running low or being held up by western politics.

Hostages subject to gang rape

According to a report, a u.n. team said there was evidence that females held in Gaza were subject to gang rape, and there were grounds to deduce that the abuse was still ongoing. Reportedly, the u.n.’s special representative on sexual violence in conflict found information that sexual violence, including cruel and degrading treatment had been committed against the hostages.

Super Tuesday

According to a report, super Tuesday is the biggest day so far in the 2024 race for the u.s. presidency. Reportedly, on Tuesday voters in 15 states and 1 u.s. territory choose candidates for president which should offer a view into the strengths and weaknesses of Joe Biden and Donald Trump; there will be a rematch in November’s general election.

According to the report, party officials known as delegates are awarded to the top candidates, and a certain number of delegates are needed in order to formally anoint the nominee at each parties’ convention. Reportedly, the Donald Trump campaign has estimated that he will win 773 delegates, he currently has 244, and his republican rival, Nikki Haley has 43. According to the report, a minimum of 1,215 are needed to win the republican nomination, 1,968 for democrats.

Negotiations in Cairo

According to a report, u.s. and Qatar mediators are due to reconvene in Cairo on Sunday and a delegate from hamas is expected to attend but Israel won’t send a team because hamas have refused to provide a list of living hostages. Reportedly, expectations of a deal were raised after Israel basically agreed to a framework for a six week ceasefire.

According to a report, a u.s. official said it will be a six week ceasefire starting from today if hamas agree to release vulnerable hostages. Reportedly, a hamas official said a ceasefire will be secured if Israel accepts their demands, but details remain unclear.

News Gaza

According to a report, a delegation from hamas will fly to Cairo on Saturday to meet with egyptian officials and to give hamas’s answer to a proposal worked out in Paris in February, though hamas want humanitarian aid for Gazans, a return of the civilian population to northern Gaza and an israeli withdrawal.

According to a report, the u.s. has carried out its first air drop of aid to Gaza with around 30,000 meals parachuted in from three military planes. Reportedly, the u.s. said the drop was the first of many.

Discredited man has claimed the u.s. president took bribes

According to a report, u.s. republicans have demanded information about a dicredited man whose claims formed the basis of an enquiry into the u.s. president. Reportedly, Alexander Smirnov was charged with giving false statements following a claim that ukrainian oil company, Burisma paid bribes to Hunter Biden and his father. According to the report, in a letter to the fbi director, the chairs of the house, judiciary and oversight committees asked for documents showing how federal agents vetted the information and how much they paid him. Reportedly, the fbi have represented to congress that the confidential human source was credible and known to them for 14 years.

According to the report, republicans who are leading the impeachment enquiry asked for documents relating to the fbi enquiry into the the bribery allegations. Reportedly, the fbi have until March 15 to provide documents concerning any fbi wrongdoing or inaccurate reporting on Mr Smirnov. According to the report, the fbi initially rejected lawmakers’ requests to show documents relating to the claim, arguing it would reveal their confidential source.

Reportedly, Mr Smirnov who was indicted on charges of making a false statement has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial in prison. According to the report, prosecutors have asked that he be held without bail, the justification being alleged extensive contacts with russian intelligence agencies.