Extremists kill scores in Nigerian town
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – Islamic extremists killed 35 people and kidnapped at least 185 in an attack near the town where nearly 300 schoolgirls were taken hostage in April, witnesses said Thursday.
In Sunday night’s attack on the village of Gumburi, most of the kidnapped were young women, children and members of a civilian defense group fighting Boko Haram, according to residents, a security official and a local government officer.
News of the attack took days to emerge because the militants have destroyed communications towers and people walked for days to avoid areas under extremist control.
Palestinian backs continuing talks
JERUSALEM – Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday that he supports further negotiations on a proposed U.N. Security Council resolution that sets a 2017 deadline for an Israeli withdrawal from lands the Palestinians seek for their state.
His comments indicated that he is trying to avoid a clash with Washington at the council.
The Arab-backed draft, submitted by Jordan on Wednesday, sets aside one year for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and two more years for implementing a deal. The Palestinians seek a state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem.
Associated Press
