
Cameroon's vice PM wife kidnapped by Boko Haram
The wife of Cameroon's vice prime minister was kidnapped and at least three people were killed in an attack by Boko Haram militants on in the northern town of Kolofata on Sunday, Cameroon officials said.
A local religious leader, or lamido, named Seini Boukar Lamine, who is also the town's mayor, was kidnapped as well, in a separate attack on his home. Boko Haram, the Nigerian Islamist militant group, has stepped up cross-border attacks into Cameroon in recent weeks as Cameroon has deployed troops to the region, joining international efforts to combat the militants.
"I can confirm that the home of vice prime minister Amadou Ali in Kolofata came under a savage attack from Boko Haram militants," Issa Tchiroma told Reuters by telephone. "They unfortunately took away his wife. They also attacked the lamido's residence and he was also kidnapped," he said, and at least three people were killed in the attack.
A Cameroon military commander in the region told Reuters that the vice prime minister, who was at home to celebrate the Muslim feast of Ramadan with his family, was taken to a neighbouring town by security officials.
"The situation is very critical here now, and as I am talking to you the Boko Haram elements are still in Kolofata town in a clash with our soldiers," said Colonel Felix Nji Formekong, the second commander of Cameroon's third inter-army military region, based in the regional headquarters Maroua.
The Sunday attack is the third Boko Haram attack into Cameroon since Friday. At least four soldiers were killed in the previous attacks. Meanwhile, some 22 suspected Boko Haram militants, who have been held in Maroua since March, were on Friday sentenced to prison sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years. It was unclear whether the events are related.

2,100 arrested at protests demanding Alexei Navalny's release

'That's why I Joined Telegram': Donald Trump Jr's announcement on Twitter

‘Dark Money’ helped pave Joe Biden’s path to the White House

Oil industry reels as Joe Biden targets fossil fuels in first days

Italian king's heir apologises for monarchy's Holocaust role

Jair Bolsonaro's support falls but a majority reject impeachment, polls show

Russia accuses US embassy of publishing Navalny supporters' 'protest routes'
- The embassy had distributed a "demonstration alert" to US citizens in Russia recommending they avoid protests. The embassy said Saturday it was following the rallies, adding that Washington supported "the right of all people to peaceful protest, freedom of expression."

'Will reverse Trump's immigration policies' Biden to Mexican president

Italy to rethink Covid-19 vaccine roll out if supply problems persist

Davos ski resort eerily quiet without economic talkfest this year
- The streets of the little Alpine town that welcomed around 3,000 business chiefs, political thinkers, and state leaders for last year's annual meeting lie deserted. Discussions have moved online, starting Monday, and Covid-19 restrictions are also keeping regular tourists away.

UK doctors seek 'urgent review' of 12-week gap between vaccine doses

Protests erupt across Russia demanding Alexei Navalny's release

South Africa's regulatory body approves Serum Institute of India's vaccine
- Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced on Friday that approval has been granted to SII, to supply vaccines to the country. The approval comes amid growing concerns that the 1.5 million vaccine doses to be shipped to South Africa in the next few weeks had not been approved by the local regulator.

Cancelled Keystone XL Pipeline may yield 48,000 tons of scrap
