Gunmen abduct 25 girls from Nigerian high school

Nigeria's new army chief has ordered troops to work tirelessly to recover 25 schoolgirls abducted during a violent raid in Kebbi State. This incident has escalated into a political issue in the United States, following comments from President Donald Trump and his allies regarding the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The abduction highlights ongoing security challenges in the region, where such kidnappings have become increasingly common.

The United Nations has agreed to hear a complaint against New Zealand's coalition government, filed by prominent Māori leader Lady Tureiti Moxon. The complaint alleges that government policies have resulted in significant and persistent discrimination against the Māori people. This action comes as part of the UN's committee for the convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination (CERD), which will consider the claims made by Moxon regarding the treatment of Indigenous people in New Zealand.

Hamas and other factions in Gaza have condemned a recent UN resolution, stating that it undermines the Palestinian right to self-determination. The groups argue that the resolution reinforces a reality that restricts their national will and autonomy. This sentiment reflects ongoing tensions regarding international interventions in the region and the Palestinian struggle for sovereignty.

More than 11 years ago, Boko Haram fighters abducted 276 girls from their school in the town of Chibok. Recently, the Nigerian government intensified its search for 25 schoolgirls who were abducted from a boarding school in northwestern Nigeria. This incident underscores the persistent threat of violence against educational institutions in the region, which has seen a troubling trend of school kidnappings.

The UN Security Council adopted a US-backed resolution on Gaza with 13 votes in favor and two abstentions. This resolution is largely based on President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan for the Palestinian enclave. The plan aims to address the ongoing conflict and establish a framework for future governance and stability in the region.

In an interview with FRANCE 24, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher described Sudan as the 'epicentre of global suffering' after visiting survivors who fled El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, recently seized by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. He reported harrowing accounts of mass executions, sexual violence as a weapon of war, and torture from those who escaped the violence.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a warning regarding a worsening hunger crisis, projecting that approximately 318 million individuals will experience acute food insecurity by the year 2026. This alarming forecast highlights the urgent need for increased funding and support to address the escalating food shortages affecting vulnerable populations worldwide. The WFP's concerns reflect broader issues of food distribution and access, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts and economic challenges.

COP30 hosts produced the 'Global Mutirao' on Tuesday, a preliminary draft agreement reflecting the diverse positions of nearly 200 nations during the UN climate talks in Brazil. The document addresses critical issues such as financing for poorer countries and inadequate carbon-reduction goals, signalling the presidency's optimism for a timely resolution.