Nigeria: Dozens Massacred in Kwara State for Refusing to Join Boko Haram
Dozens of people were killed in a shooting attack on two villages in Nigeria's western state of Kwara after they refused to join Boko Haram, according to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The governor stated on X that "75 local Muslims were massacred" in Tuesday's raid. A state lawmaker told the BBC that 78 people had been buried so far, and the death toll could rise to an estimated 170 as more corpses were being recovered. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu blamed Islamist militant group Boko Haram for the killings. The attackers also burned down shops and homes during the raid on Woro.
Japanese City Cancels Cherry Blossom Festival Due to Tourist Misbehavior
Authorities in Fujiyoshida, a Japanese town near Mount Fuji, have cancelled this year's cherry blossom festival due to a surge in tourist numbers that has become unmanageable for locals. The influx of tourists has led to chronic traffic congestion and litter. Some residents have reported tourists trespassing or defecating in private gardens. The area is a popular destination during spring because Japan's cherry trees are in full bloom, and can be admired with Mount Fuji in the background. The city's mayor explained that Fujiyoshida's picturesque scenery threatens "the quiet lives of citizens," adding: "We have a strong sense of crisis."
Keir Starmer Apologises to Epstein Victims for Believing Mandelson's 'Lies'
Keir Starmer has apologised to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for believing Lord Mandelson's "lies" and appointing him as the UK's ambassador to the US. The prime minister began a planned speech on funding to improve local communities by addressing the growing anger over how he had dealt with the issue. While he acknowledged it had been publicly known for some time that Lord Mandelson knew Epstein, he said: "None of us knew the depths and the darkness of that relationship." Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the PM's position was "untenable", while the Liberal Democrats called for a confidence vote to see if Labour MPs supported him.
Israeli Intelligence Chief's Brother Charged with Smuggling Cigarettes into Gaza
Israeli prosecutors have charged Bezalel Zini, the brother of the head of the country's intelligence agency, Shin Bet, with "aiding the enemy in wartime" by allegedly smuggling cigarettes into Gaza. An indictment against Zini, 50, a reservist on active duty in the Israeli military, argues he was aware that Hamas might profit from the resale of cigarettes and tobacco at inflated prices. Zini is said to have smuggled 14 cartons of cigarettes - 7,000 individual packets - in exchange for a total of 365,000 shekels (117,000; 86,000).
UK Research Fund Faces "Hard Decisions" as it Pauses New Grants
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the public body which spends 8bn of taxpayer money each year on research and innovation in the UK, faces "hard decisions" on funding future projects, according to its boss, Ian Chapman. In an open letter, Chapman said the government had told it to "focus and do fewer things better", which "will result in negative outcomes for some". Chapman said the changes have not yet been finalised, but he expected them to be fully implemented by. It represents a major reorganisation of the way Britain's scientific research and innovation is prioritised and funded with public money, and has angered many in the research community.
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