US offshore wind auction attracts record-setting bids

NEW YORK, Feb 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The largest ever US sale of offshore wind development rights – for areas off the coasts of New York and New Jersey – attracted record-setting bids on Wednesday from companies seeking to be a part of President Joe Biden’s plan to create a booming…

Sudan delegation heads to Russia amid Ukraine crisis

Dagalo was part of an October 25 military takeover that plunged the country into political and economic turmoil KHARTOUM, Feb 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A delegation of senior Sudanese officials, including the deputy leader of the country’s military-led ruling council, is headed to Russia for talks on cooperation, authorities said. Sudan…

Covid-19: African health authorities meet in Nigeria, discuss vaccination goals

ABUJA, Feb 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — African health authorities are calling for better coordination to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are distributed quickly to all African nations. Vaccine supplies have surpassed demand for the first time since the pandemic began two years ago. But health officials at a conference in Nigeria said Wednesday…

Russia-Ukraine crisis: Ukraine under attack along Russia, Belarus borders; world leaders condemn

 KYIV, Feb 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ukraine is coming under artillery attack along its northern border with Russia and Belarus, the border guard service said on Thursday, adding that Ukrainian forces were returning fire.    The statement was issued as a Ukrainian interior ministry official reported the Ukrainian government-held town of…

Russia-Ukraine crisis: Explosions rock Ukrainian key airport, military facilities – media

KIEV, Feb 24 (NNN-Xinhua) — A series of explosions hit the largest Ukrainian airport Boryspil and several military objects in eastern and southern Ukraine early Thursday, according to Interfax-Ukraine news agency. The Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry said it is evacuating passengers and staff from Boryspil.  Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday…

Madagascar hit by fourth major storm in a month

Madagascar is still recovering from the effects of Cyclone Batsirai, which damaged 124,000 homes ANTANANARIVO, Feb 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Winds of up to 135kph battered Madagascar early Thursday as Cyclone Emnati made landfall, becoming the fourth major storm to hit the Indian Ocean island in a month. Emnati struck on…

Russia-Ukraine crisis: Oil prices break $100 on Russian ‘military operation’ in Ukraine

LONDON, Feb 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Oil prices soared past $100 for the first time in more than seven years on Thursday after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “military operation” in Ukraine, apparentlyrealising fears he would invade.   Brent surged to $100.04 a barrel after the announcement, as concerns grew…

Covid-19: UK pledges 160 million pound to global vaccine drive

LONDON, Feb 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain on Thursday pledged an extra 160 million poundto boost global vaccine development, with the aim of being able to produce a global shot within 100 days of any future pandemic.    The money will be on top of the 276 million pound that Britain…

Panama investigates forced sterilization of Indigenous Women

PANAMA CITY, Feb 24 (NNN-TELESUR) — Panama Attorney General’s Office and human rights defenders are investigating allegations of non-consensual sterilization of Indigenous women among the Ngobe-Bugle community. At a meeting of the Commission for Women held last week, lawmaker Walkiria Chandler stated that a dozen indigenous Panamanian women had been…

Horn of Africa drought drives 13 million to hunger: UN agencies

A woman carries a water container at a camp for internally displaced persons in Baidoa, Somalia NAIROBI, Feb 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Vast swathes of land stretching from southern Ethiopia to northern Kenya and Somalia are in the grip of a severe drought that has left 13 million people facing hunger.…