Nigerian military retakes town on eve of elections
The Nigerian military recaptured the self-declared headquarters of Islamist militant organisation Boko Haram on Friday. The soldiers defeated more fighters from the militant group in the areas leading to Gwoza, said the country’s Defence Ministry. “Several of the terrorists have died and many of them captured in the process,” said Major General Chris Olukolade. “A massive cordon and search has commenced to locate any of the fleeing terrorists or hostages in their custody,” he added. The announcement of the capture came on the eve of general elections in the country. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who is running for re-election, had been criticised for not doing enough to combat the militant outfit. Gwoza was captured in August 2014 by the group, whose aim is to impose Sharia law across Nigeria.
Germanwings co-pilot hid details of illness, say prosecutors
The co-pilot of the crashed Germanwings flight hid details of his illness, said German prosecutors on Friday. Torn medical notes were found in the home of Andreas Lubitz, who deliberately flew the plane into a mountain, killing all 150 people aboard. No evidence of a political or religious motive for his actions were found, said the officials. They added that no suicide note was found as well. Reports of Lubitz being treated for depression were denied by a hospital which confirmed that he had been a patient. Data from a recovered voice-recorder suggested that Lubitz started a descent into the mountains after locking the pilot of the cockpit.
Ten killed as Somalian hotel attacked by al-Shabab militants
Ten people were killed after a Somalian hotel was attacked by fighters from militant outfit al-Shabab. Those killed included Yusuf Bari Bari, the Somali ambassador to Switzerland. Government forces regained control of most of the hotel. Six out of nine militants were believed to be killed, said police officer Major Ismail Olow. The remaining three were reported to be throwing grenades and firing their guns from the top floors of the hotel. The attack took place after a suicide bomber detonated his car outside the building. The hotel was targeted due to its popularity with government officials, said a spokesman for the militant outfit.
Open to larger Russian naval presence in Syria, says Assad
Syria was open to a larger Russian naval presence at its sea ports, said the country’s President, Bashar al-Assad. “For us, the larger this presence in our neighbourhood, the better it is for stability in the region,” he said in an interview. Russia operates a naval base in Tartus that includes warships and barracks. The base, described as a “supply and technical point for the Russian navy”, was setup under a security arrangement in 1971. Assad added that Russian military support to Syria had continued for the past four years of civil war in the country.
Thailand PM considering lifting martial law
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that he was considering lifting martial law from the country and replacing it with a section from the interim constitution. “When it will be enforced depends on the situation,” he said. The section replacing the law grants the government powers to supress free speech and try civilians in military courts. It has come under criticism for being draconian in nature. The decision will need to be approved by the country’s monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Prayuth took power from the civilian government in a coup executed on May 22 last year.
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The Nigerian military recaptured the self-declared headquarters of Islamist militant organisation Boko Haram on Friday. The soldiers defeated more fighters from the militant group in the areas leading to Gwoza, said the country’s Defence Ministry. “Several of the terrorists have died and many of them captured in the process,” said Major General Chris Olukolade. “A massive cordon and search has commenced to locate any of the fleeing terrorists or hostages in their custody,” he added. The announcement of the capture came on the eve of general elections in the country. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who is running for re-election, had been criticised for not doing enough to combat the militant outfit. Gwoza was captured in August 2014 by the group, whose aim is to impose Sharia law across Nigeria.
Germanwings co-pilot hid details of illness, say prosecutors
The co-pilot of the crashed Germanwings flight hid details of his illness, said German prosecutors on Friday. Torn medical notes were found in the home of Andreas Lubitz, who deliberately flew the plane into a mountain, killing all 150 people aboard. No evidence of a political or religious motive for his actions were found, said the officials. They added that no suicide note was found as well. Reports of Lubitz being treated for depression were denied by a hospital which confirmed that he had been a patient. Data from a recovered voice-recorder suggested that Lubitz started a descent into the mountains after locking the pilot of the cockpit.
Ten killed as Somalian hotel attacked by al-Shabab militants
Ten people were killed after a Somalian hotel was attacked by fighters from militant outfit al-Shabab. Those killed included Yusuf Bari Bari, the Somali ambassador to Switzerland. Government forces regained control of most of the hotel. Six out of nine militants were believed to be killed, said police officer Major Ismail Olow. The remaining three were reported to be throwing grenades and firing their guns from the top floors of the hotel. The attack took place after a suicide bomber detonated his car outside the building. The hotel was targeted due to its popularity with government officials, said a spokesman for the militant outfit.
Open to larger Russian naval presence in Syria, says Assad
Syria was open to a larger Russian naval presence at its sea ports, said the country’s President, Bashar al-Assad. “For us, the larger this presence in our neighbourhood, the better it is for stability in the region,” he said in an interview. Russia operates a naval base in Tartus that includes warships and barracks. The base, described as a “supply and technical point for the Russian navy”, was setup under a security arrangement in 1971. Assad added that Russian military support to Syria had continued for the past four years of civil war in the country.
Thailand PM considering lifting martial law
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that he was considering lifting martial law from the country and replacing it with a section from the interim constitution. “When it will be enforced depends on the situation,” he said. The section replacing the law grants the government powers to supress free speech and try civilians in military courts. It has come under criticism for being draconian in nature. The decision will need to be approved by the country’s monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Prayuth took power from the civilian government in a coup executed on May 22 last year.
