Russia-Ukraine conflict: UN chief says Russian soldiers should ‘return to their barracks’

   UNITED NATIONS, Feb 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on soldiers in Russia’s war on Ukraine to “return to their barracks”.   “We must never give up. We must give peace another chance,” he told reporters after Moscow vetoed a UN resolution condemning its “aggression” in Ukraine.…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: ‘Russia out!’ Worldwide protests in solidarity with Ukraine

  ROME, Feb 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pro-Ukraine protests erupted across the world, as thousands took to the streets from London to Rome to Barcelona to denounce Russia’s assault on its neighbour. Moscow’s invasion has sparked global outcry and prompted punishing sanctions from the West, including some against Russian President Vladimir…

Venezuela re-opens border with Brazil after two years

People stand at the border with Venezuela, seen from the Brazilian city of Pacaraima, Roraima state, Brazil PUERTO ORDAZ (Venezuela), Feb 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Venezuela re-opened its land border with Brazil on Thursday , nearly two years after the government of President Nicolas Maduro shuttered crossings over COVID-19 concerns, local…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Russia vetoes UN resolution deploring ‘aggression’ in Ukraine

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia, as expected, vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Friday that “deplores in the strongest terms” the country’s “aggression” against Ukraine and demanded the immediate withdrawal of its troops. Eleven of the council’s 15 members voted for the motion, which was co-written by the…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Russia suspends space launches from French Guiana over sanctions

  MOSCOW, Feb 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia is suspending space launches from French Guiana and withdrawing its technical personnel in response to EU sanctions over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, the space agency said Saturday.   “In response to EU sanctions against our enterprises, Roskosmos is suspending cooperation with European partners…

Covid-19: Tunisia eases restrictions amid improved epidemiological situation

TUNIS, Feb 26 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Tunisian Ministry of Health announced measures that would ease the current COVID-19 restrictions in the light of the improved situation in the country. “From March 1, the reception capacity in open spaces will increase to 100 percent. As for closed spaces, this capacity will…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: UN chief appoints Amin Awad of Sudan as UN crisis coordinator for Ukraine

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 26 (NNN-Xinhua) — United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Amin Awad of Sudan as assistant secretary-general to serve as UN Crisis Coordinator for Ukraine. Guterres announced the appointment on Friday while meeting reporters at the UN headquarters in New York after the Security Council meeting…

Africa Investment Forum to hold virtual boardroom sessions to advance US$50 billion deals

African leaders at the 2019 edition of the AIF ABIDJAN, Feb 26 (NNN-GNA) — The Africa Investment Forum will host virtual boardroom sessions, a key component of the Africa Investment Forum market days, next month, following a postponement late last year, representatives of the initiative announced.The boardrooms will be held…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Moscow says sanctions against Putin, Lavrov a sign of Western ‘impotency’

  MOSCOW, Feb 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman said Western sanctions against the country’s president and top diplomat over its invasion of Ukraine showed Western “impotency” and warned relations were nearing a “point of no return.”    In a bristling speech on Russian television, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Zelensky accepts Putin’s proposal, ready for peace talks

KIEV, Feb 26 (NNN-TASS) — Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has accepted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal and is ready to negotiate peace and a ceasefire, Zelensky’s press secretary Sergey Nikiforov said on Saturday.   “I have to refute allegations that we have refused to have talks. Ukraine has always been…