NEWS OF THE DAY
1 Syria warning: A top U.N. official warned Monday that an attack on rebel-held parts in Syria’s Idlib province in coming months could lead to this century’s worst loss of life as government forces pounded the area from the air and ground. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock’s comments came days after Iran and Russia backed a military campaign in the rebel-held area despite Turkey’s pleas for a cease-fire. Government forces, backed by Russia and Iran, have been massing troops for weeks in preparation for an attack on Idlib province that is the last major rebel stronghold in the country. More than 3 million people live in the territory, nearly half of them already displaced from fighting elsewhere in Syria.
2 Russia arrests: More than 1,000 people were detained at antigovernment protests across the country in what the Kremlin on Monday called a legitimate response to unauthorized rallies. The OVD-Info group, which tracks police detentions, said 1,018 people were detained during Sunday’s demonstrations against a government plan to increase the ages at which Russians can collect their state pension. Nearly half of those detained were rounded up in St. Petersburg. Russia’s second-largest city saw an aggressive response with riot police charging at protesters with batons. Minors and elderly people were among those arrested. President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said the police acted in accordance with unauthorized protests.
3 Nigeria explosion: At least 18 people died and more than 40 others were burned in a gas explosion in Nigeria on Monday. The blast occurred at a gas station in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa state. A witness told the Associated Press that he helped to evacuate victims after more than a dozen occupied vehicles burned. Nigeria’s Senate president, Bukola Saraki, called the explosion “horrific” and said he met with survivors. Many gas dealers operate stations in Nigerian cities with little oversight, leading to frequent explosions. In January, 10 people died in a blast in Lagos state.
4 Rights abuses: The new U.N. human rights chief warned Monday about abuses worldwide, citing among others the Trump administration’s “unconscionable” separations of migrant families and urging the European Union to create a dedicated search and rescue operation for migrants in the Mediterranean sea. Michelle Bachelet made her first address to the Human Rights Council in Geneva as it opened a three-week session. The former Chilean president, once a political detainee herself, became U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights this month. Bachelet denounced a lack of “redress” for migrant families who were separated by U.S. authorities after being detained.
5 France attack: Petanque players in Paris who helped in the apprehension of a knife-wielding man were lauded Monday for their bravery as French authorities opened an investigation into the attack that injured seven people. According to police, witnesses at the scene of Sunday night’s attack helped disarm and arrest the man. Some of those playing boules, also known as petanque, threw their heavy metallic balls at the attacker — with one hitting his head — before police arrested the man. A judicial official told the Associated Press that the attacker was believed to be an Afghan national. He said terrorist motives were not suspected at this stage. Four of the victims were in serious condition. Two British tourists were among those injured.
Chronicle News Services