Nigeria to have 29 million child brides by 2050: UNICEF Report

ABUJA, May 30 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — A report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has predicted that Nigeria will have 29 million child brides by 2050. The report, a part of three reports on how poverty affects children in Nigeria, was launched by the Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, in conjunction with UNICEF to…

African Union ‘gravely concerned’ by Rwanda-DR Congo tension

DAKAR, May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — African Union chair Macky Sall called for “calm and dialogue” between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda after both sides accused each other of supporting rebel groups operating along their shared border. “I am gravely concerned about the rise in tension between Rwanda…

Germany agrees $107 bn fund to modernise military in face of Russia threat

BERLIN, May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Germany’s government and conservative opposition have agreed a deal that will release 100 billion euros ($107 billion) to modernise the army in the face of the Russian threat. An agreement was reached late Sunday to create a special fund for military procurement that will also…

Update: Hurricane Agatha strengthens en route toward southwest Mexico

MEXICO CITY, May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The first hurricane of the Pacific season, Agatha, was rapidly strengthening off the western coast of Mexico where it is likely to strike Monday as a Category Three storm, the country’s weather service warned. High sea temperatures and the hurricane’s slow speed could give…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Russian FM Lavrov denies Pres Putin is ill

 MOSCOW, May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied speculation that President Vladimir Putin was ill, saying there were no signs pointing to any ailment.   Putin’s health and private life are taboo subjects in Russia, and are almost never discussed in public.   Answering a question from France’s broadcaster…

Sudan lifts state of emergency countrywide

KHARTOUM, May 30 (NNN-Xinhua) — Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan on Sunday issued a decree lifting the state of emergency in all parts of the country. The order was made to “prepare the atmosphere for a fruitful dialogue that achieves stability for the transitional period,” the…

US violence: 1 killed, 7 injured in outdoor festival shooting in Oklahoma

TAFT (Oklahoma, US), May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A 26-year-old man was in custody after one person was killed and seven people were injured in a shooting early Sunday at an outdoor festival in eastern Oklahoma, where witnesses described frantic people running for cover amid gunfire. An arrest warrant was issued…

AfDB Governors adopt 10-year strategic plan to revive Africa economies

President of AfDB Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina ACCRA, May 30 (NNN-GNA) — The Board of Governors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has adopted a 10-year strategic plan to help revive African economies from the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukraine war.The strategic plan, which was adopted at the…

Ghana calls for more AfDB support as African economies battle global challenges

Ghana Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia ACCRA, May 30 (NNN-GNA) — Ghana’s Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has urged the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) and the Africa Development Fund to offer more support to African economies in the midst of ongoing global economic challenges.Speaking at the closing ceremony of the AfDB’s…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Oil climbs ahead of EU meeting on Russia sanctions

PARIS, May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Oil prices rose to two-month highs on Monday as traders waited to see if the European Union would reach an agreement on banning Russian oil ahead of a Brussels meeting on a sixth package of sanctions against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. Brent crude…