US targets Russians in new North Korea sanctions after missile launches

WASHINGTON, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States imposed fresh North Korea-related sanctions on Friday after US and South Korean officials said Pyongyang had used its largest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system in two recent launches. The sanctions, announced by the US Treasury, target two Russian nationals and three Russian firms it…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: UN to work on safe corridor for stranded ships

LONDON, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN’s shipping agency will seek to create a safe maritime corridor to enable merchant ships and their crews stuck in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov to sail away without the risk of being hit, it said on Friday. Russia’s military took control…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Russia squeezes Kyiv as ‘unimaginable’ tragedy looms in Ukraine

KYIV, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russian forces inched towards Kyiv and pounded civilian areas in other Ukrainian cities Friday, drawing warnings of”unimaginable tragedy” as the United States and the EU moved to tighten theeconomic noose around the Kremlin.    Sixteen days after Moscow shocked the world by invading Ukraine, the…

Covid-19: Cases surge again in Italy, Ireland

An Italian Carabinieri officer checks the documents of a driver in Rome as COVID-19 situation is getting worse again ROME, March 12 (NNN-Xinhua) — Reversing a trend of several weeks of improvement, Italy’s COVID-19 situation is getting worse again, the country’s Health Ministry said. This week, the transmission rate in…

Morocco seizes 2 tonnes of cannabis for international drug trafficking

RABAT, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Morocco’s police arrested four suspects for their alleged involvement in a criminal network active in drug trafficking and psychotropic drugs. The security operation took place on Tuesday and continued until Wednesday morning in Laayoune, a statement from the General Directorate of National Security said Friday. Police identified…

Gabriel Boric inaugurated as youngest president of Chile

Gabriel Boric, Chile’s new president VALPARAISO (Chile), March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — After a dizzying rise from student protest leader to head of state in just over a decade, Gabriel Boric has been sworn in as Chile’s youngest ever president (2022-26). “Know that we are going to do our best to…

Brazil launches national plan to cut reliance on fertilizer imports

BRASILIA, March 12 (NNN-Xinhua) — Brazil has launched a National Fertilizer Plan (PNF) to boost investment in production and reduce its reliance on the import of fertilizers, authorities said. “The measures established by the PNF seek to readjust the balance between domestic production and imports, with the potential to make…

US: 2 dead, 9 injured after vehicle crashes into outdoor seating of restaurant

WASHINGTON, March 12 (NNN-Xinhua) — Two women were killed and nine others injured after a vehicle plowed through an outdoor seating area of a restaurant in northwest Washington, D.C. at lunchtime Friday. A preliminary investigation shows that an elderly man lost control of his SUV while driving alone, and “he’s…

Covid-19: Kenya lifts mask mandate in open public places; but encouraged its use indoor

Mask wearing not mandatory in public now in Kenya NAIROBI, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya’s Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said that wearing of face masks in open public places had been lifted and full in-person worship for vaccinated persons restored.However, the CS encouraged the use of masks and adherence…

Nigeria’s prison pageant: Alleged murderer crowned ‘Miss Cell 2022’

Chidinma Ojukwu (middle) is facing a murder trial ABUJA, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A beauty pageant was this week held in one of Nigeria’s biggest prison facilities.The event which was held at Kirikiri correctional facility was to mark the 2022 International Women’s Day.Several inmates participated in the event labelled ‘Miss…