34 killed as cholera epidemic spreads in Cameroon

Outbreaks of cholera occur regularly in Cameroon YAOUNDE, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 34 people have died so far in a cholera epidemic that is sweeping the Central African nation of Cameroon, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.The epidemic has hit at least…

Malian MPs endorse military rule till 2027

Col Assimi Goita is leader of the ruling junta BAMAKO, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Malian lawmakers have unanimously approved a transitional roadmap okaying a five-year tenure for the military junta in charge.The vote means the Assimi Goita-led junta has until 2027 to conduct the next democratic election.Failure to abide by…

Hannah Tetteh joins Obasanjo as Special Envoys for Horn of Africa region

Hannah Tetteh with UNSG Antonio Guterres UNITED NATIONS, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Hanna Serwaa Tetteh of Ghana has been appointed Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for the Horn of AfricaUnited Nations Secretary-General António Guterres made the announcement on…

Russia-Ukraine crisis: Oil surges on supply fears

LONDON, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Oil prices are climbing on fears that the Ukraine-Russia crisis will disrupt supply chains across the world. Futures of Brent crude, the international benchmark, reached a seven-year high of almost $98 on Tuesday after Russia recognised breakaway rebel regions in Ukraine’s east as independent states.…

Mine blast kills 60 in Burkina Faso: medical, local sources

A local resident describes the scenes of wreckage as horrific OUAGADOUGOU, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An explosion at an artisanal mine in Burkina Faso killed at least 60 people and wounded a similar number, local and medical sources said.    The blast, at a gold-panning site at Gomgombiro in the southwest…

Russia-Ukraine crisis: UK unveils sanctions on Russian banks and oligarchs

 LONDON, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain slapped sanctions on five Russian banks and three billionaires, in what Prime Minister Boris Johnson called “the first barrage” of measures in response to the Kremlin’s actions in Ukraine.   Addressing the UK parliament hours Tuesday after Russia ordered troops into two Moscow-backed Ukrainian…

Russia-Ukraine crisis: Ukraine says will consider cutting ties with Russia

   KYIV, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky demanded an immediate halt to the Nord Steam 2 project and Kyiv prepared to sever relations with Moscow in response to its recognition of two breakaway regions.    Zelensky also told reporters that the Kremlin was paving the way for a major military…

Russia-Ukraine crisis: Ukraine running out of options as Putin orders in troops

 KYIV, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ukraine and its leader Volodymyr Zelensky are running out of options as they try to withstand Russian military advances that could shrink their country for the second time since 2014.    Russia President Vladimir Putin defied Western warnings and approved sending troops into eastern Ukraine…

UNICEF to pay stipend to Afghan teachers

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations children’s agency would pay Afghan teachers a monthly stipend for at least two months, the organisation said, with salaries unpaid for months as the country is plunged into economic crisis due to sanctions on the Taliban administration. The payments, of roughly…

Update: Greece resumes search for ferry fire survivors

  CORFU (Greece), Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Greek rescuers on Monday resumed the search for 10 people still missing from a ferry fire that has killed at least one truck driver.    Television footage showed smoke still billowing from the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia, more than three days after a fire…