Global Week in Review: Boko Haram Kills at Least 90 Civilians, Wounds 500 in Cameroon

Second TransAsia crash in seven months kills 58, plus more.

Dozens of Cameroonians Killed by Nigerian Extremists in Alleged Revenge Attack - Another deadly TransAsia plane crash kills at least 31 people. — Patrice PeckBoko Haram is reported to have slaughtered at least 91 civilians and wounded and “trapped” 500 in the Cameroonian town of Fotokol on Wednesday. AP reports that the Nigerian Islamic extremists were taking revenge on the neighboring country after it united with other nations against the group and launched an offensive with Chad this week. "We consider Boko Haram to be a cancer, and if the international community does not focus its mind on this disease it will spread not only in Central Africa but other regions, all over the continent," Cameroon's Information Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said Thursday at the beginning of a three-day African Union meeting. Bakary also claimed that some 800 insurgents are still rampagin...

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Dozens of Cameroonians Killed by Nigerian Extremists in Alleged Revenge Attack - Another deadly TransAsia plane crash kills at least 31 people. — Patrice PeckBoko Haram is reported to have slaughtered at least 91 civilians and wounded and “trapped” 500 in the Cameroonian town of Fotokol on Wednesday. AP reports that the Nigerian Islamic extremists were taking revenge on the neighboring country after it united with other nations against the group and launched an offensive with Chad this week. "We consider Boko Haram to be a cancer, and if the international community does not focus its mind on this disease it will spread not only in Central Africa but other regions, all over the continent," Cameroon's Information Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said Thursday at the beginning of a three-day African Union meeting. Bakary also claimed that some 800 insurgents are still rampagin...

TransAsia Plane Carrying 58 People Crashes Into River - On Wednesday, at least 31 people died when a TransAsia 58-passenger plane crashed into a river in Taiwan, The New York Times reports. The pilot reportedly called out “Mayday, mayday, engine flameout” moments before the accident. Footage of the descending plane was also captured on several car dashboard cameras. This is the second deadly disaster the carrier has faced in less than seven months.(Photo: AP Photo)

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TransAsia Plane Carrying 58 People Crashes Into River - On Wednesday, at least 31 people died when a TransAsia 58-passenger plane crashed into a river in Taiwan, The New York Times reports. The pilot reportedly called out “Mayday, mayday, engine flameout” moments before the accident. Footage of the descending plane was also captured on several car dashboard cameras. This is the second deadly disaster the carrier has faced in less than seven months.(Photo: AP Photo)

Jordan Launches New Airstrikes After Pilot Murder - A video released by Islamic State miltants earlier this week shows a captured Jordanian fighter pilot, Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh, being burned to death in a cage, AP reports. To avenge the killing, Jordan has launched dozens of new airstrikes on IS targets, including weapons storage sites and training centers. An apparent warning to the jihadist rebel group was reportedly read on state TV: "This is the beginning and you will get to know the Jordanians." According to AP, authorities have also said the strikes will continue "until we eliminate them."(Photo: AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

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Jordan Launches New Airstrikes After Pilot Murder - A video released by Islamic State miltants earlier this week shows a captured Jordanian fighter pilot, Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh, being burned to death in a cage, AP reports. To avenge the killing, Jordan has launched dozens of new airstrikes on IS targets, including weapons storage sites and training centers. An apparent warning to the jihadist rebel group was reportedly read on state TV: "This is the beginning and you will get to know the Jordanians." According to AP, authorities have also said the strikes will continue "until we eliminate them."(Photo: AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Mugabe Falls Down Steps, Sparks Viral Meme - A small misstep made by Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe quickly avalanched into a viral sensation on Wednesday, the Washington Post reports. The 90-year-old leader had just delivered a speech when, after he talked down the podium, he seemed to trip and fall. A verbose statement of denial issued by Zimbabwe’s government ("Even Jesus, let alone you, would have also tripped in that kind of situation”) reportedly inspired a series of #MugabeFalls memes on Twitter. In the comical images, Mugabe is Photoshopped into various scenes, including Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” video.(Photo: AP Photo)

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Mugabe Falls Down Steps, Sparks Viral Meme - A small misstep made by Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe quickly avalanched into a viral sensation on Wednesday, the Washington Post reports. The 90-year-old leader had just delivered a speech when, after he talked down the podium, he seemed to trip and fall. A verbose statement of denial issued by Zimbabwe’s government ("Even Jesus, let alone you, would have also tripped in that kind of situation”) reportedly inspired a series of #MugabeFalls memes on Twitter. In the comical images, Mugabe is Photoshopped into various scenes, including Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” video.(Photo: AP Photo)

African Dolls Steal Barbie’s Shine - Seven years ago, Taofick Okoya of Nigeria couldn’t find a Black doll to buy his niece, so he decided to create his own instead. Now, between 6,000 and 9,000 of Okoya’s “Queens of Africa” and “Naija Princesses” dolls are sold a month in Nigeria, beating Barbie to become one of the best-selling toys in the country, The Independent reports. "I like it,” said a 5-year-old who had just received one of Okoya’s dolls at a Lagos mall. "It's black, like me.”(Photo: REUTERS/Akintunde Akinleye)

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African Dolls Steal Barbie’s Shine - Seven years ago, Taofick Okoya of Nigeria couldn’t find a Black doll to buy his niece, so he decided to create his own instead. Now, between 6,000 and 9,000 of Okoya’s “Queens of Africa” and “Naija Princesses” dolls are sold a month in Nigeria, beating Barbie to become one of the best-selling toys in the country, The Independent reports. "I like it,” said a 5-year-old who had just received one of Okoya’s dolls at a Lagos mall. "It's black, like me.”(Photo: REUTERS/Akintunde Akinleye)

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Bomb Explodes Near Site of Presidential Rally - A female suicide bomber detonated a bomb outside a stadium in the northern Nigerian city of Gombe, killing at least one person and possibly wounding 18 others. Some sources say that the bomber and the other woman casualty were both suicide bombers. The blast occurred minutes after President Goodluck Jonathan left a campaign rally at the site, BBC reports. Boko Haram has not commented on the incident, but with the upcoming presidential elections, the militant Islamist group has ramped up its attacks as of late.(Photo: REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde)

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Bomb Explodes Near Site of Presidential Rally - A female suicide bomber detonated a bomb outside a stadium in the northern Nigerian city of Gombe, killing at least one person and possibly wounding 18 others. Some sources say that the bomber and the other woman casualty were both suicide bombers. The blast occurred minutes after President Goodluck Jonathan left a campaign rally at the site, BBC reports. Boko Haram has not commented on the incident, but with the upcoming presidential elections, the militant Islamist group has ramped up its attacks as of late.(Photo: REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde)

Ebola Crisis: Vaccine Testing Starts in Liberia - A major testing of two potential Ebola vaccines kicked off in Liberia’s capital Monrovia on Monday, AP reports. However, Bruce Aylward, who is leading WHO’s Ebola response, told AP the vaccines being tested will not be an immediate solution. "People keep saying we're going to have a vaccine, but that will be in the middle of the year at the earliest," Aylward said last week. "We might be able to vaccinate some first responders but it's a complete uncertainty. We have no idea if it will confer protection, even though the indications are good."(Photo: AP Photo/ Abbas Dulleh)

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Ebola Crisis: Vaccine Testing Starts in Liberia - A major testing of two potential Ebola vaccines kicked off in Liberia’s capital Monrovia on Monday, AP reports. However, Bruce Aylward, who is leading WHO’s Ebola response, told AP the vaccines being tested will not be an immediate solution. "People keep saying we're going to have a vaccine, but that will be in the middle of the year at the earliest," Aylward said last week. "We might be able to vaccinate some first responders but it's a complete uncertainty. We have no idea if it will confer protection, even though the indications are good."(Photo: AP Photo/ Abbas Dulleh)

Ukraine Rebel Leader Calls for Wide Mobilization - Pro-Russian separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko has announced plans to start recruiting as many as 100,000 fighters in the next 10 days, BBC reports. The rebels are reportedly aiming to push Ukraine’s military out of the nation’s eastern regions and capture the key town of Debaltseve. Over the weekend, dozens of fighters and civilians were killed in attacks and artillery fire.(Photo: REUTERS /MAXIM SHEMETOV /LANDOV)

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Ukraine Rebel Leader Calls for Wide Mobilization - Pro-Russian separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko has announced plans to start recruiting as many as 100,000 fighters in the next 10 days, BBC reports. The rebels are reportedly aiming to push Ukraine’s military out of the nation’s eastern regions and capture the key town of Debaltseve. Over the weekend, dozens of fighters and civilians were killed in attacks and artillery fire.(Photo: REUTERS /MAXIM SHEMETOV /LANDOV)

Al-Jazeera Reporter Released from Egypt Jail - On Sunday, Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste was released from a Cairo jail, Reuters reports. "This [release] has been like a rebirth,” he said in an interview on Al Jazeera. Greste spent 400 days behind bars with colleagues Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, who remain in the jail. "I wasn't expecting it at all...I can't tell you the real sense of that mix of emotion, between a real sense of relief and excitement, and also real stress in having to say goodbye to my colleagues," said Greste. The Australian journalist described the two men as "family." (Photo: AP Photo/Al Jazeera) 

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Al-Jazeera Reporter Released from Egypt Jail - On Sunday, Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste was released from a Cairo jail, Reuters reports. "This [release] has been like a rebirth,” he said in an interview on Al Jazeera. Greste spent 400 days behind bars with colleagues Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, who remain in the jail. "I wasn't expecting it at all...I can't tell you the real sense of that mix of emotion, between a real sense of relief and excitement, and also real stress in having to say goodbye to my colleagues," said Greste. The Australian journalist described the two men as "family." (Photo: AP Photo/Al Jazeera) 

Venezuelan President Accuses VP Biden of Attempted Coup - According to The Guardian, the United States has rejected Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s recent claim that U.S. Vice President Joe Biden had plotted to overthrow him. “President Maduro’s accusations are patently false and are clearly part of an effort to distract from the concerning situation in Venezuela, which includes repeated violations of freedom of speech, assembly, and due process,” Biden’s office said in a statement. The plummeting price of oil has crippled Venezuela’s economy and led to ongoing, widespread protests.(Photo: EPA/MIGUEL GUTIERREZ /LANDOV)

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Venezuelan President Accuses VP Biden of Attempted Coup - According to The Guardian, the United States has rejected Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s recent claim that U.S. Vice President Joe Biden had plotted to overthrow him. “President Maduro’s accusations are patently false and are clearly part of an effort to distract from the concerning situation in Venezuela, which includes repeated violations of freedom of speech, assembly, and due process,” Biden’s office said in a statement. The plummeting price of oil has crippled Venezuela’s economy and led to ongoing, widespread protests.(Photo: EPA/MIGUEL GUTIERREZ /LANDOV)

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Prince Andrew, Epstein Sex Scandal Reignited With Detailed Affidavit - A woman known as Jane Doe No. 3 in the sex case involving Britain’s Prince Andrew and prominent American lawyer Jeffrey Epstein recently produced a 23-page affidavit to prove her accounts, AP reports. The statement reportedly details dates, locations and other information about the powerful men she alleges Epstein forced her and three other women to “satisfy.” "These powerful people seem to think that they don't have to follow the same rules as everyone else. That is wrong,” she reportedly said in the affidavit. More than six years ago, Epstein pleaded guilty to Florida charges involving sex with underage girls, served 13 months of an 18-month jail sentence and was required to register as a sex offender.(Photo: AP Photo/Palm Beach Post, Uma Sanghvi, File)

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Prince Andrew, Epstein Sex Scandal Reignited With Detailed Affidavit - A woman known as Jane Doe No. 3 in the sex case involving Britain’s Prince Andrew and prominent American lawyer Jeffrey Epstein recently produced a 23-page affidavit to prove her accounts, AP reports. The statement reportedly details dates, locations and other information about the powerful men she alleges Epstein forced her and three other women to “satisfy.” "These powerful people seem to think that they don't have to follow the same rules as everyone else. That is wrong,” she reportedly said in the affidavit. More than six years ago, Epstein pleaded guilty to Florida charges involving sex with underage girls, served 13 months of an 18-month jail sentence and was required to register as a sex offender.(Photo: AP Photo/Palm Beach Post, Uma Sanghvi, File)

Chile President Puts an End to Nation’s Abortion Ban - Chile's President Michelle Bachelet has tabled a bill in Congress to legalize abortion for victims of rape or where the mother’s life is endangered by pregnancy, NY Daily News reports. This transition is major given that Chile is a Roman Catholic country where abortion is currently punishable by up to five years in jail. "Facts have shown that the absolute criminalization of abortion has not stopped the practice,” President Bachelet said. "This is a difficult situation and we must face it as a mature country."(Photo: AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

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Chile President Puts an End to Nation’s Abortion Ban - Chile's President Michelle Bachelet has tabled a bill in Congress to legalize abortion for victims of rape or where the mother’s life is endangered by pregnancy, NY Daily News reports. This transition is major given that Chile is a Roman Catholic country where abortion is currently punishable by up to five years in jail. "Facts have shown that the absolute criminalization of abortion has not stopped the practice,” President Bachelet said. "This is a difficult situation and we must face it as a mature country."(Photo: AP Photo/Moises Castillo)