Covid-19: Ecuador confirms first 5 cases of Omicron subvariant BA.2

A medical worker wearing a mask and cap walks near a hospital in Quito QUITO, March 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — Ecuador identified its first five cases of the BA.2 sub-lineage of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in patients in the city of Guayaquil, the Ministry of Public Health confirmed Wednesday. In…

Madagascar’s president reshuffles gov’t

Madagascar’s President announces cabinet reshuffle ANTANANARIVO, March 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina reshuffled the government Wednesday, according to a decree read live on the national radio. The new government led by Prime Minister Ntsay Christian is made up of 30 members, including 27 ministers, two secretaries of state…

Tunisia says dismantles terrorist cell loyal to Daesh

Policemen stand guard in Tunis TUNIS, March 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — A six-member terrorist cell active in southeastern Tunisia was dismantled, the Tunisian Interior Ministry said. “The suspects who pledged allegiance to the Daesh organization were planning terrorist attacks by using explosives and toxic products,” said a statement from the ministry.…

Political polarization in Libya may lead to instability: UN

A UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Libya is held at the UN headquarters in New York UNITED NATIONS, March 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo warned that the current political polarization in Libya may lead to instability. “Libya is now facing a new…

Covid-19: Omicron subvariant spreads fast in US, causing nearly one quarter of new cases

A man receives a COVID-19 test in New York WASHINGTON, March 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — The BA.2 sub-lineage of the Omicron variant now makes up nearly a quarter of new COVID-19 infections in the United States, according to the latest data of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Russia, Ukraine talk of ‘compromise’ as peace talks resume

A firefighter works at a site of a fire, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, in Kharkiv KIEV/MOSCOW, March 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia has said that some parts of a possible peace deal with Ukraine are close to being agreed upon after Kyiv hinted at a possible route for a…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Council of Europe expels Russia from human rights body

Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin STRASBOURG (France), March 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The Council of Europe has expelled Russia from the continent’s foremost human rights body in an unprecedented move over its invasion of Ukraine.The 47-nation committee of ministers said in a statement that “the Russian Federation ceases to be a member of…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: War in Ukraine will hurt Africa’s grain supplies – United Nations

United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres UNITED NATIONS, March 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern that African countries could be hit with a shortage of wheat supply as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Following the Feb 24 invasion, the two biggest wheat growers in the…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: ICC prosecutor in Ukraine has video call with Zelensky

   THE HAGUE, March 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan has visited Ukraine where he held a video call with President Volodymyr Zelensky, the court said.    The pair met virtually, the Hague-based court tweeted. “We agreed all efforts are needed to ensure international human humanitarian law is respected and…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: NATO rejects Ukraine ‘peace mission’, eyes more forces on eastern flank

BRUSSELS, March  17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance was looking to substantially bolster forces on its eastern flank after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but would not send troops to the war-torn country. NATO member Poland on Tuesday suggested the alliance deploy an armed “peace mission” in…