US reports nearly 2 mn migrant apprehensions at southern border in 2021

 WASHINGTON, Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Almost 180,000 migrants were apprehended attempting to enter the United States from Mexico in December, official figures published Monday showed.    The additional 178,840 detentions in December bring the total number of apprehensions at the US southern border in 2021 to almost two million —…

Rebel leader killed in Colombia: president

BOGOTA, Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The commander of a rebel splinter group that rejects a 2016 peace deal in Colombia has been killed in a clash with the military, the country’s president said Monday.    President Ivan Duque announced in a statement that Euclides Espana — alias Jhonier — had been…

UN chief ‘strongly condemns’ Burkina Faso ‘coup’

 UNITED NATIONS, Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres “strongly condemns” the military takeover in Burkina Faso, and urges the “coup leaders” to lay down their arms, according to a statement issued Monday.   Condemning “any attempt to take over a government by the force of arms,” the UN…

UK Prime Minister orders Islamophobia probe after ministerial sacking claim

British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson LONDON, Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has ordered an inquiry into claims made by a former minister that she was sacked because of concerns about her “Muslimness.”Following a phone conversation with Nusrat Ghani on Sunday evening, Johnson has asked the Cabinet…

I’m not taking sides in Kenyan elections – Ugandan Pres Museveni

Uganda’s President, Yoweri Museveni KAMPALA, Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has said he will not take sides in the Kenyan presidential elections scheduled for August, dispelling claims and rumours that Uganda and the ruling National Resistance Movement Party (NRM) support Deputy President William Ruto.DP Ruto, ODM leader…

Botswana court upholds marijuana licence for single firm to produce cannabis for goods

GABORONE, Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The High Court in Botswana has upheld Fresh Standard (Pty) Limited’s exclusive rights to produce hemp and cannabis for industrial and medical purposes in the country.This is contained in a ruling by Gaborone High Court Judge Chris Gabanagae’s in the case in which the company…

Nigeria: Youth set murdered Hanifa Abubakar’s school ablaze

KANO (Nigeria), Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Angry youth set ablaze the school where the kidnappers of Hanifa Abubakarb buried the remains of the five-year-old girl in Kano.The private school, Noble Kids Comprehensive College, is located at Kwanar Dakata in Nassarawa local government area, in Kano metropolis.Hanifa was abducted on Dec…

Covid-19: Kenya, UAE in talks to end covid-related flight bans – Minister

NAIROBI, Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya says it will consider allowing Emirati aircraft only after negotiations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to reopen their airspace on Kenyan flights.The two countries have been embroiled in a feud over a mutual flight ban that Dubai began, citing Covid-19 infections before Nairobi…

Military coup: Burkina Faso army said depose President Kabore

Burkina Faso’s president, Roch Kabore OUAGADOUGOU, Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Burkina Faso’s army said it has deposed President Roch Kabore, suspended the constitution, dissolved the government and the national assembly, and closed the borders.The announcement, signed on Monday by Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba and read by another officer on state…

Covid-19: US CDC warns against travel to Peru, Kuwait, UAE

Travelers make their way through Miami International Airport WASHINGTON, Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and State Department advised against travel to 15 countries and territories, citing a rising number of COVID-19 cases. The CDC elevated its travel recommendation to “Level Four: Very High” for Colombia,…