*) Saudi Arabia offers ceasefire plan to Yemen rebels

Saudi Arabia has proposed a ceasefire to end Yemen's devastating war, including the reopening of air and sea links.

The Houthi rebels say Saudi Arabia's new peace plan does not meet their precondition on lifting the blockade on Sanaa airport and Hudaida port.

The Saudi-led coalition entered Yemen's civil war in 2015 to defeat the Houthi rebels in their fight with the country’s government.

War monitors say the conflict has killed some 130,000 people, with tens of thousands dying of disease and starvation.

*) Scores killed in second militant attack in southwest Niger this week

At least 137 people have been killed in the deadliest violence to strike Niger in recent memory after gunmen ambushed villages near the Mali border.

The violence comes amid a dangerous escalation in attacks after the election of Niger's new president, Mohamed Bazoum, several weeks ago.

He is due to take office on April 2nd amid a rapidly deteriorating situation in Niger, long destabilised by militants in neighbouring Mali.

*) Multiple dead in Colorado supermarket shooting

In the United States, a gunman has killed at least 10 people, including a police officer, at a grocery store in Colorado.

Police officials confirmed that one injured suspect is in custody, and is being provided with medical treatment.

The motive of the attack is still being investigated.

*) Polls open in fourth Israeli election in two years

Israel has begun voting in its fourth election in less than two years, with the nation still divided over whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deserves to remain in office.

Polling stations are open across Israel and in the occupied West Bank.

Some 6.5 million registered voters are set to deliver a result that could prolong the worst period of political gridlock in the country's history.

And finally …

*) Istanbul stray dogs get own starring roles in new documentary

Stray dogs from Turkey’s city of Istanbul are set to feature in a documentary called "Stray".

The documentary’s Hong Kong-born director Elizabeth Lo says she has been fascinated with a 2004 law in Turkey that protects stray animals from cruelty.

The feature depicts the life of dogs in Istanbul through the eyes of three pups who roam its streets searching for food and bonding with humans.