Pakistani forces shoot down Indian aircraft over Kashmir

Map of the conflict zones in Kashmir. Credit: Indian Defence Review.

Pakistan has today revealed that it has shot down two Indian Air Force jets over the disputed lands of Kashmir, capturing two pilots in the process.

This comes after the Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesman, Raveesh Kumar, claimed Indian forces had previously shot down a Pakistani fighter jet.

Pakistan’s Information Ministry has published footage of the destroyed Indian fighter jets earlier this morning.

Wreckges of Indian fighter planes burning. Well done Pakistan Air Force. The entire nation is proud of you. pic.twitter.com/TTIb1zvNZS

— Information Ministry (@MoIB_Official) February 27, 2019

These events follow an attack led by a Pakistan-based militant group in Kashmir earlier this month which killed 40 Indian troops – the deadliest attack of its kind in three decades in the territory.

Indian Foreign Minister, Sushma Swaraj, has called for her country to exercise ‘responsibility and restraint’ – a sentiment mirrored by powers in the US, EU and China.

Deadly fire breaks out at Cairo railway station

The interior of Ramses Station, where the blaze took place. Credit: Google Earth.

A fire has broken out at a railway station in Egypt’s capital city Cairo, killing at least 20 people.

Officials say the blaze, which occurred at Ramses Station, has also injured a further 40 people.

The National Railway Authority says the fire erupted when a train crashed into a concrete buffer at the station.

The trains fuel tank reportedly exploded after the collision, setting the entire platform on fire, along with further nearby buildings.

This incident at Ramses Station in Cairo looks really horrible. Pictures and videos are grim. Reports of at least 24 dead and many more injured. Stay safe everyone.😕 pic.twitter.com/V1oWvibBX8

— kemoooz😎 (@karem25jan2011) 27 February 2019

Egypt’s railway system is known for its poor safety record, with many locals blaming the lack of government investment.

Cohen’s opening statement for Congress testimony leaks

Michael Cohen. Credit: IowaPolitics.com

Testimony due to be read by Michael Cohen – former lawyer and personal counsel to Donald Trump – before the House of Representatives has been prematurely published in the press.

The statement describes the President as a ‘racist’, ‘conman’ and ‘cheat’, supporting  each assertion with examples.

Cohen also makes claims concerning violation of campaign finance laws, saying ‘the President of the United States…wrote a personal check for the payment of hush money as part of a criminal scheme to violate campaign finance laws.’

Cohen was convicted last year of campaign finance violations, tax evasion and of lying to Congress;  and is now co-operating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.

President Trump has swiftly moved to deny the claims.

Michael Cohen was one of many lawyers who represented me (unfortunately). He had other clients also. He was just disbarred by the State Supreme Court for lying & fraud. He did bad things unrelated to Trump. He is lying in order to reduce his prison time. Using Crooked’s lawyer!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 27, 2019

Buhari re-elected as president of Nigeria

Muhammadu Buhari. Credit: Getty Images.

Current Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has been re-elected for a second term and is set to be in charge for the next four years.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) received 15.2 million votes, whereas the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) only received 11.3 million, although overall turnout was at an all-time low of 35.6%.

Mr Buhari was running against former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, who have questioned the legitimacy of the result.

Following his victory, the President claimed that ‘the new administration will intensify its efforts in security, restructuring the economy and fighting corruption’.

Despite these claims, Nigeria has faced many problems during Mr Buhari’s last term, including economic contraction, state corruption claims, and threats to national security.

1-Dear President @MBuhari,

Congratulations on your stolen mandate. You DID NOT win an election. You won a selection, but lost integrity. I congratulate you for your theft. If God spares my life and yours, I will torment you every step of the way#PMBWonSelectionButLostIntegrity

— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) February 27, 2019