_{Image source: ABC}

US and Russia

The United States imposed sanctions on Russia over Alexei Navalny poisoning. United States officials concluded that the Russian government was behind the near-fatal nerve agent attack on Navalny last year. In response to its findings, the US sanctioned 7 senior Russian officials in coordination with the European Union. Navalny has since been sent to a penal colony to serve the remainder of his 2 and half year term.

Lebanon

Lebanon ‘s currency hit a new low today. The drop in Lebanon’s currency caused a delay in the reception of oil tankers, which caused power outages throughout the country. Protestors took to the streets and closed major highways in multiple cities. The nation was already on edge as it has been demanding a new cabinet for months due to the economic hardship of the country. International donors have said they will only help the country financially if widespread corruption is kept under control, a feat which has yet to be accomplished. The US Dollar is now equivalent to nearly 10,000 Lebanese pounds.

Nigeria

The girls kidnapped in Nigeria last week have been returned today to their families. The original number of girls was announced by official at 317, now that number was changed to 278 without further explanation. The government officials are announcing that they are working on different methodologies to make sure that the kidnappings (3 in the last 2 months) are stopped. The girls kidnapped said that they were treated well and were fed but had to walk hours because they were threatened to be shot if they did not obey.

Iran

Pakistani based Militants attacked a car with Iranian Revolutionary Guards engineers near country’s border with Pakistan on Tuesday, a week after attacks between fuel smugglers and security services resulted in the death of 2 people. Iranian State TV blamed Al-Qaida sub-group Jaish al-Adl for the attacks. The Sunni extremist group has long been attacking Revolutionary Guard as part of a violent low-level insurgency against the Shiite government. In 2019, Jaish al-Adl claimed a suicide bombing on a bus that killed 27 members of the Revolutionary Guard force.