US Pres Biden urges Americans to leave Ukraine as fears of Russian invasion mount

WASHINGTON, Feb 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Joe Biden urged Americans to immediately leave Ukraine, as Russia’s live-fire drills and build-up of troops around the ex-Soviet state deepened fears of an invasion.   Washington-Moscow tensions are at their highest since the Cold War, with some US estimates saying some 130,000 Russian…

At least 20 killed, 33 injured in bus accident in northern Peru

At least 20 people are dead after a passenger bus crashed en route to Lima, Peru LIMA, Feb 11 (NNN-Xinhua) — At least 20 people were killed and 33 injured, after a passenger bus plunged into a ravine about 100 meters deep in the northern Peruvian province of Pataz of…

Canada: Ottawa police arrest 25, issue 1,775 tickets against trucker rally protesters

OTTAWA, Feb 11 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Ottawa Police Service said that police have arrested 25 people and issued 1,775 tickets to put an end to the unlawful demonstrations in the downtown areas. Police have responded to nearly 1,000 calls for service in relation to the demonstrations since they began and…

Nigeria: Gov’t forces thwart smuggling of ivory tusks, pangolin scales

A woman uses a knife to remove scales from the skin of a live pangolin at the Epe fish market in Lagos, Nigeria LAGOS, Feb 11 (NNN-Xinhua) — Nigerian government forces have detained four suspects caught trying to smuggle ivory tusks and pangolin scales worth nearly 7.4 million U.S. dollars,…

Over 30,000 terrorists surrender to troops in NE Nigeria: official

Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum ABUJA, Feb 11 (NNN-Xinhua) — Over 30,000 terrorists comprising members of the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) groups have so far surrendered to troops in Nigeria’s northeast region, a senior official said here. Relative peace has begun to return as…

Tunisian president says top judiciary council to be replaced by provisional body

TUNIS, Feb 11 (NNN-Xinhua) — Tunisian President Kais Saied said the dissolved Superior Council of the Judiciary will be replaced by a provisional body pending the establishment of a new council. “It is a choice already made and Tunisia must turn this page and move on to cleaning up, starting…

Libya’s eastern-based army welcomes parliament’s vote for new PM

Bashagha became the sole candidate for the post after the only other contender Khalid al-Baibas pulled out TRIPOLI, Feb 11 (NNN-Xinhua) — The eastern-based army of Libya welcomed the unanimous vote of the House of Representatives (parliament) for Fathi Bashagha as the country’s new prime minister. “The General Command of…

Croatia, Greece call for reducing tensions between Ukraine, Russia

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic (R) welcomes Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (L) in Zagreb, Croatia ZAGREB, Feb 11 (NNN-Xinhua) — Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis called for reducing tensions between Ukraine and Russia and supported diplomatic efforts by the international community. “We advocate…

Russia-Ukraine tension: US, Belarus army chiefs speak to avoid drill ‘miscalculation’ as Denmark plans to allow US troops on its soil

   WASHINGTON/COPENHAGEN, Feb 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US and Belarusian defense chiefs have held rare telephone talks to avoid a “miscalculation” during Russia-Belarus joint military drills, the Pentagon said, at a time of heightened tensions over the Kremlin’s massing of troops near Ukraine.   “The phone call facilitated communication between both leaders…

Two persons diagnosed with Lassa fever in the UK; infected after visiting West Africa

London Hospital LONDON, Feb 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two persons in the United Kingdom who travelled recently to West Africa have been diagnosed with Lassa fever, an acute viral haemorrhagic illness, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has announced.The Agency said that the cases were within the same family in the…