13 political parties to run for Senate elections in Cameroon

YAOUNDE, Jan 31 (NNN-XINHUA) — Cameroon’s electoral body, Elections Cameroon (Elecam) on Monday published a list of 13 political parties, including the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement that will compete in the country’s Senate elections scheduled for March 12. Director General of Elecam Essousse Erik said all was set for…

At least 28 killed in two attacks in Burkina Faso

OUAGADOUGOU, Jan 31 (NNN-XINHUA) — At least 28 people, including soldiers and civilians, were killed in two separate gunmen attacks on Sunday and Monday in Burkina Faso, a regional governor and the army have revealed. Fifteen civilians were killed on Sunday by unidentified armed men in the province of Comoe…

Meeting of 37 African States on UN nuclear ban treaty underway in South Africa

PRETORIA, Jan 31 (NNN-SANEWS) — The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Deputy Minister, Alvin Botes, on Monday, opened the African Regional Seminar on the Universalisation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which is currently underway in Pretoria.   The seminar is co-hosted by the DIRCO,…

South Africa authorises roll out of COVID-19 boosters to fight Omicron variant

PRETORIA, Jan 31 (NNN-SANEWS) — The Department of Health says additional COVID-19 vaccine booster doses are now available for eligible citizens at all active vaccination sites across the country. “This is in line with the announcement by Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, earlier this month that government has been…

France braces for disruption as more pension protests loom

PARIS, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France is bracing for major transport blockages on Tuesday, with mass strikes and protests set to hit the country for the second time in a month in objection to a planned reform to raise the retirement age. Around one million people are expected to take…

Benin: Bus-truck collision kills 22, many from a blaze that broke out after the crash

 COTONOU, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Twenty-two people have died in a collision between a bus and a truck in the centre of the West African state of Benin, the government said. The crash occurred on Sunday near Dassa-Zoume, “causing at least 22 deaths and many injured,” who are being treated…

UN calls on Taliban to let women help give aid to desperate Afghans

 UNITED NATIONS, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN humanitarian chief said he has pleaded with the Taliban to let women participate in a massive effort to support desperate Afghans struggling to survive a “savage” winter. Afghanistan is facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with more than half of…

ELN guerrillas killed in Colombian military offensive: army

  BOGOTÁ, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nine presumed members of Colombia’s ELN guerrilla group, which is in peace negotiations with the government, were killed in a military offensive, a top official said. A soldier wounded in the confrontation Friday in a rural part of southwest Colombia died of his injuries later,…

Germany vows millions for Amazon as German Chancellor Scholz meets counterpart Lula in Brazil

BRASÍLIA, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Germany outlined more than $200 million in contributions for environmental projects in Brazil as Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited the South American giant reeling from Amazon destruction under ex-president Jair Bolsonaro. The package includes a brand-new $33.6 million in aid for Brazilian states for rainforest protection,…

Covid-19: White House says US emergency status to end May 11

 WASHINGTON, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The White House said that the national and public health emergencies declared just as the Covid-19 pandemic took grip three years ago will officially end May 11. The end to both federal emergency declarations, which took effect in January 2020 under then-president Donald Trump, will…