At least four children were among 12 people killed in an air strike carried out by Nigerian forces on a village in neighbouring Niger on Friday, said Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
The MSF team at a hospital in the district of Madarounfa treated seven injured children after the attack.
One of them died later, MSF said, citing local sources.
“Two others died after being transferred to the regional hospital in Maradi,” the humanitarian organisation said.
A fourth child, who was 20 months old, died in the bombing, survivors said. Six adults were reportedly killed and two more died after being transferred to the hospital in Maradi.
A jet first flew over the hamlet of Nachambe, near the village of Garin Kaoura in the Madarounfa district, situated a few kilometres from the Nigerian border and inhabited by people belonging to the Peul ethnic group. It then reportedly flew over the hamlet again, dropping munitions.
Survivors said it was a Nigerian plane, pursuing armed men from a border village who had taken shelter in the village school.
“This is a horrific event, unprecedented in the Madarounfa region,” said Dr Souley Harouna, an MSF representative in Niger.
“The teams report that the injured children suffered open fractures and various wounds and post-traumatic injuries. We performed first aid before transferring them to the hospital in Maradi, but some of the injured did not survive.”
A local governor in Niger confirmed the incident but Nigerian authorities said they were “investigating”.
“As a matter of policy, the Nigerian Air Force does not make any incursions into areas outside Nigeria's territorial boundaries. That's our policy,” said Maj Genl Jimmy Akpor, Nigeria's Director of Defence Information.
Reason for air strike unclear
MSF works in the Maradi region, focusing on treating children with acute malnutrition and other childhood diseases. About 30,000 children were admitted in the four MSF-supported hospitals in the Maradi region in 2021. MSF is also providing relief to the population in the border state of Katsina, Nigeria.
The air strike occurred in a region where banditry is common and where both governments fear insurgents linked to ISIS are gaining ground.
With additional reporting by Reuters
THE SPECS
Engine: six-litre W12 twin-turbo
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Power: 626bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh940,160 (plus VAT)
On sale: Q1 2020
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
Company Profile
Company name: NutriCal
Started: 2019
Founder: Soniya Ashar
Based: Dubai
Industry: Food Technology
Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount
Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia
Total Clients: Over 50
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
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Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Price: From Dh117,059
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Seemar’s top six for the Dubai World Cup Carnival:
1. Reynaldothewizard
2. North America
3. Raven’s Corner
4. Hawkesbury
5. New Maharajah
6. Secret Ambition
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SUE%20GRAY'S%20FINDINGS
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
