GAZA: A US and Israel-backed aid group in Gaza said today it would shut down after claiming it had completed its mission, despite months of controversy over its secretive operations. 

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation faced widespread criticism from Palestinians and aid workers, who said people had to risk their lives passing Israeli troops to reach its sites, with hundreds of Palestinians shot dead trying to access food. 

The group said it would hand over responsibilities to the US-led Civil-Military Co-ordination Centre after delivering more than 3 million food boxes since May.

CAMEROON: Gambia confirmed it is temporarily hosting Cameroonian opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary for his safety after a disputed election handed President Paul Biya an eighth term and triggered deadly protests. 

The opposition claims Mr Tchiroma won the vote and has rejected the official result, while Cameroon’s government has threatened legal action over what it says are calls for insurrection. 

At least 55 people were reportedly killed in unrest across key opposition strongholds, amid growing concerns about Mr Biya’s long rule.

NIGERIA: Fifty children abducted from a Catholic school in Niger State have escaped, but more than 260 others and 12 teachers remain missing as a major military-led search continues. 

The mass kidnapping prompted several states to close schools and pushed President Bola Tinubu to order the recruitment of 30,000 extra police officers, amid criticism that too many officers are assigned to VIPs. 

Families in Papiri say they feel abandoned as confusion and fear continue to dominate the village where the attack took place.

CONGO: Fourteen people were killed in an attack on a village in western Congo as long-running tensions over land ownership between rival communities escalated again. 

Armed members of the Mobondo militia clashed with soldiers before retreating and allegedly massacring civilians, including young children, and setting homes on fire. 

The violence is the latest in a conflict between the Teke and Yaka communities that has claimed more than 5,000 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands since 2022.