18 civilians feared killed near Niger’s border with Mali

NIAMEY, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Eighteen civilians have been killed in two suspected jihadist attacks in the west of Niger near the Sahel nation’s border with Mali, the government said.    The attack happened on Sunday when unidentified “armed bandits” on motorbikes attacked a truck travelling between villages in the…

Ecuador to pardon 5,000 prisoners to tackle overcrowding

QUITO, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso announced some 5,000 prisoners would be pardoned to reduce overcrowding in the country’s prisons, which were hit with riots that left more than 320 inmates dead in 2021.   “I hope that at least 5,000 people deprived of their freedom will…

Covid-19: Over 12.5 mln children in US infected

A girl prepares to do paper-cutting of Chinese characters at the Children’s Museum of Houston in Houston, Texas WASHINGTON, Feb 23 (NNN-Xinhua) — Over 12.5 million children in the United States have tested positive for COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic, according to a new report by the American…

Pres Buhari begs Western nations to return Nigeria’s looted artefacts

President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari ABUJA, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has appealed to nations, institutions and bodies, both private and public, to return Nigeria’s looted artefacts in their possession.In a statement, Buhari’s media aide Garba Shehu said the president made the appeal in the aftermath of…

UN: ‘Race against time’ as Madagascar braces for 4th tropical cyclone in a month

The damage of the Tropical Cyclone Batsirai in the east coast of Madagascar ANTANANARIVO, Feb 23 (NNN-UNNS) — The island nation of Madagascar is shoring up for its fourth tropical cyclone in a month, UN aid agencies warned, as they outlined plans to help the authorities assist the most vulnerable.  While…

Covid-19: New Uganda law to impose fines on those who refuse coronavirus vaccine

Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni KAMPALA, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Uganda plans to impose fines on people who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and those who fail to pay could be sent to prison under an amendment of a public health law currently being reviewed in Parliament.Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng told…

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.…