Islamic militants kill at least 162 in attacks on 2 villages in Nigeria, lawmaker says

SOKOTO, Nigeria (AP) — Armed extremists have killed over 162 people in attacks on two villages in Kwara state, western Nigeria, a lawmaker said. Speaking on Wednesday, Mohammed Omar Bio, a member of parliament representing the area, said the assaults happened on Tuesday evening in Woro and Nuku. He said the attacks were carried out by the Lakurawa, a group linked to the Islamic State group. A Red Cross official confirmed scores of people were killed. Nigeria faces a complex security crisis with ongoing insurgencies and kidnappings. In a separate incident on Tuesday, gunmen killed 13 people in Katsina state. The U.S. has sent a small military team to Nigeria in response to the crisis.

US and Russia agree to reestablish military dialogue after Ukraine talks

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The U.S. and Russia have agreed to reestablish high-level, military-to-military dialogue for the first time in more than four years. The step is another sign of warming relations between the two countries since President Donald Trump took office and sought to end the war in Ukraine. The agreement emerged from a meeting between senior Russian and American military officials in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. High-level military communication was suspended in 2021, as relations between Moscow and Washington became increasingly strained ahead of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Meanwhile, talks in Abu Dhabi between American, Russian and Ukrainian officials on ending the war entered a second day.

Indian teacher who created hundreds of learning centers wins $1 million Global Teacher Prize

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An Indian teacher and activist known for creating hundreds of learning centers and painting educational murals has won the $1 million Global Teacher Prize. Rouble Nagi accepted the award Thursday at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. Her Rouble Nagi Art Foundation has created over 800 learning centers across India, and she also paints educational murals in slums. The prize is awarded by the Varkey Foundation, which began in 2015. Nagi plans to use the money to build an institute offering free vocational training.

Russia says it regrets expiration of last nuclear arms treaty but Trump says he wants a new pact

MOSCOW (AP) — The Kremlin says it regrets the expiration of the last remaining nuclear arms pact between Russia and the United States, while President Donald Trump declared he was against keeping its limits and wants a better deal. The end of the New START treaty left no caps on the two largest atomic arsenals for the first time in more than a half-century, fueling fears of an unconstrained nuclear arms race. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed readiness to stick to the pact’s limits for another year if Washington agreed. But Trump said he wants a “new, improved, and modernized” pact that can last far into the future. The treaty, signed in 2010, was extended in 2021 for five more years.