The leader of Boko Haram, the Islamist extremist group that abducted hundreds of schoolgirls in Nigeria six years ago, has claimed responsibility for the mass abduction of students in north-western Katsina state last week. In an audio tape released on Tuesday, Abubakar Shekau said: “Our brothers were behind the abduction in Katsina.” A large group… Continue reading Dec 2020. Nigeria Kidnap
Category: News and Politics
Dec 2020. The Ethiopia Tigray Conflict
Before shelling by Ethiopia’s army ripped through Humera in early November, life in the airy, agricultural city in Tigray was idyllic, says Brhane Haftu, a geography teacher. “I was rich, not because of money, but happiness. I had my home, my own cellar, my TV, my kitchen, my refrigerator,” says the 31-year-old, flipping through pictures… Continue reading Dec 2020. The Ethiopia Tigray Conflict
Dec 2020. School Abduction in Nigeria
More than 300 schoolboys kidnapped in northern Nigeria have been rescued, the Katsina state governor has said. The 344 boys, whose abduction was claimed by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, were on their way back to Katsina, Aminu Masari told the state broadcaster on Thursday. “At the moment, 344 of the students have been… Continue reading Dec 2020. School Abduction in Nigeria
Dec 2020. Egypt Student Murder
Egypt’s public prosecution has officially closed its investigation into the murder of Giulio Regeni, rejecting Italian prosecutors’ findings that accused four Egyptian security officials of kidnapping and torturing the Italian doctoral student in 2016. Italy officially indicted four Egyptian security officials including two from Egypt’s national security agency in early December. The four men were… Continue reading Dec 2020. Egypt Student Murder
Dec 2020. US Presidential Transition
Three blocks from the White House, office space for more than 500 Biden transition staffers sits mostly idle.The government is shipping out laptops so staffers can work from home.US President-elect Joe Biden, surrounded by just a handful of aides in Delaware, is using Zoom to oversee his plans to assume power.But Biden soon will be… Continue reading Dec 2020. US Presidential Transition
Dec 2020. Lebanon PM Charged with Negligence
A Lebanese judge has reportedly charged caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab and three ex-ministers with negligence over August’s Beirut port explosion. Judicial sources said the four would be questioned next week about warnings they received over the unsafe storage of ammonium nitrate in a warehouse. A fire triggered the detonation of 2,750 tonnes of the… Continue reading Dec 2020. Lebanon PM Charged with Negligence
Dec 2020. Peace between Israel and Morocco
Israel’s formal ties with the Arab world now extend from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the east to Morocco in the west. On December 10th President Donald Trump announced the latest breakthrough in his diplomatic push on behalf of the Jewish state. Morocco, the Arab world’s oldest monarchy, will become the fourth Arab state… Continue reading Dec 2020. Peace between Israel and Morocco
Dec 2020. Facebook being Sued by the US
The US government and more than 40 states have sued Facebook for illegally crushing competitors and demanded the company undo its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. There’s a legal reason Instagram and WhatsApp are at the heart of the state and federal lawsuits. Trying to reduce competition by purchasing rivals is an explicit violation of… Continue reading Dec 2020. Facebook being Sued by the US
Dec 2020. UAE Talks with Qatar
A breakthrough in the three-and-a-half-year dispute between Qatar and its neighbouring Gulf states appears to have been achieved following what were described as “fruitful” talks to resolve the conflict. The Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, said “significant progress” had been reached in the last few days and he was optimistic all… Continue reading Dec 2020. UAE Talks with Qatar
Dec 2020. Manchester Attack
The imprisoned terrorist Hashem Abedi, 23, has admitted for the first time his involvement in planning the Manchester Arena bombing that killed 22 people, a public inquiry has heard. Abedi, 23, the brother of the suicide bomber Salman Abedi, 22, made the admission in prison in October while being interviewed by two members of the… Continue reading Dec 2020. Manchester Attack