Eurozone finance ministers on Friday agreed in principle to extension of Greece’s bailout by four months thereby saving the country from facing cash crunch and a potential exit from euro. Jeroen Dijsselbloem, president of the Eurozone called it as the first step in the process of rebuilding trust as Athens gave unequivocal commitment to honour its financial obligations to creditors. Greece now has to submit a list of reforms which needs to be approved by the lenders before the loan extension is ratified by the Eurozone on Tuesday.
Gunmen abduct 89 boys in South Sudan
United Nations on Saturday said that at least 89 boys have been abducted in the Upper Nile state of South Sudan. No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction. Such cases aren’t unknown in the region as armed groups have abducted children in the past to use them for major offensives. "According to witnesses, armed soldiers surrounded the community and searched house by house. Boys older than 12 years of age were taken away by force," the United Nations Children's Fund statement said. At least 12,000 children have been recruited into armed groups since the outbreak of war in December 2013 fought between soldiers of President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar.
Major fire breaks out at world’s tallest residential building
Hundreds were evacuated after a major fire broke out at the world’s tallest residential building, The Torch, during the wee hours in Dubai on Saturday. According to the Dubai Civil Defense, the fire appeared to have started on the 50th floor. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. No casualties were reported in the incident. The fire was doused several hours later but the residents will not be allowed to return until the building receives clearance from fire officials.
John Kerry threatens new sanctions on Russia for undermining Ukraine truce
United States Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday hinted at new sanctions on Russia for undermining the ceasefire agreement with Ukraine which came into effect on February 15. Terming Russia’s actions as extraordinarily craven behaviour at the expense of the sovereignty and integrity of a nation, Kerry said, "We are talking about additional sanctions, about additional efforts, and I'm confident over the next days people will make it clear that we are not going to play this game." He made these statements while holding talks with his British counterpart Philip Hammond in London on Saturday. The Kiev military said that despite ceasefire brokered by the heads of France and Germany, Russia has been sending tanks and troops in eastern Ukraine region.
Nigeria retake border town of Baga from Boko Haram
The Nigerian military on Saturday said that its forces backed by air strikes had retaken the north-eastern border town of Baga from Islamist group Boko Haram. Baga is Nigeria’s border shared with Chad, Niger and Cameroon. The Boko Haram militants are on the run after Nigeria’s neighbouring nations too launched an attack on the group in the past few weeks.