Nigerian supreme court approves wearing of hijab in Lagos schools after years of legal tussle, controversy

Female Muslim students in Lagos are now allowed to wear hijab ABUJA, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Supreme Court of Nigeria has approved the use of hijab by female Muslim students in Lagos State Government-owned schools.This was disclosed in a ruling on Thursday delivered by the apex court in Abuja.The…

UN urges South Sudan leaders to agree on election timeline

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres UNITED NATIONS, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Parties in South Sudan should decide on an electoral timetable and avoid unilateral actions that may undermine the environment for elections, the United Nations said.The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s recommendations are contained in a new report submitted to the members…

Parliamentary elections: France gears up for new Macron v Mélenchon battle

Jean-Luc Mélenchon  PARIS, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — There were times, during the elections here five years ago, when President Emmanuel Macron would sound almost messianic about the potential of his political party and his project for France. This time around, with run-off votes for more than 570 parliamentary seats due…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: US Pres Biden says briefed on Americans missing in Ukraine

 WASHINGTON, June  18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Joe Biden said he had been briefed on two Americans missing in Ukraine, and he urged US citizens to refrain from traveling to the war-torn country. Asked about the two Americans volunteer fighters who are feared captured by Russian forces, Biden said, “I have been briefed.”  Biden…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: EU backs Ukraine’s ‘European dream’ as Russia cuts gas supplies

BRUSSELS, June  18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Europe sent a powerful symbol of solidarity with Ukraine on Friday, when Brussels backed Kyiv’s bid for EU candidate status, even as Russia shelled frontline Ukrainian cities and cut back gas supplies to the West. With the European Commission’s backing, Ukraine could now be added to the list of…

HEATWAVES: Europe’s hottest summers

PARIS, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sweltering temperatures in Spain and France spotlight the increasing frequency of heatwaves in Europe.      In just over two decades, the continent has experienced its five hottest summers since 1500. 2021 HOTTEST EVER: Last year was Europe’s hottest summer on record, according to the European climate change monitoring…

Bordeaux region bans outdoor events as heatwave hits France

PARIS, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Gironde department around Bordeaux banned outdoor public events and those at indoor venues without air conditioning, a local official told public radio, as France is gripped by an early heatwave. Local prefect Fabienne Buccio told France Bleu radio that concerts and large gatherings, including…

Covid-19: WHO panel backs use of Omicron-adapted vaccine as booster dose as US approves Pfizer, Moderna for children under five

GENEVA, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A modified COVID-19 vaccine that targets the Omicron variant can be administered as a booster dose to broaden immunity, a technical advisory group set up the World Health Organization said. Such a variant-adapted vaccine may benefit those who have already received the primary series of shots,…

US Pres Biden defends meeting with Saudi prince, says talks part of broader meeting

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman  WASHINGTON, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Joe Biden said he was not traveling to Saudi Arabia’s explicitly to meet de facto leader Mohammed bin Salman during a trip next month and said he was seeing the Saudi crown prince as part of a broader…

Talks in Ecuador to end Indigenous protests

QUITO, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ecuador’s president met a small group of Indigenous leaders Friday for talks seeking to end countrywide fuel price protests that surrounded the capital Quito with road blockades for a fifth day. As the talks were under way at the presidential palace, black smoke from burning…