Ethiopia-Tigray crisis: UN says thousands of Eritrean refugees in Tigray dying as access to aid remains blocked

A scene in the Rawyan area of Western Tigray GENEVA, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations Refugee Agency says thousands of Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia’s embattled northern Tigray province are living under life-threatening conditions because they have no access to humanitarian aid. U.N. refugee staff members say they were…

Covid-19: Thousands protest in Belgium against covid rules

People take part in a protest against European anti-coronavirus measures, in Brussels, Belgium BRUSSELS, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of demonstrators marched through Brussels on Sunday to protest anti-coronavirus rules as the Omicron wave causes infections to reach record highs. The sprawling crowd appeared far larger than previous demonstrations that…

Covid-19: Italy reports 138,860 cases, 227 deaths

Italy reported over 138,000 Covid-19 cases on Sunday ROME, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy reported 138,860 Covid-19 cases on Sunday, against 171,263 the day before, while the number of deaths fell to 227 from 333. Italy has registered 143,523 deaths linked to Covid-19 since its outbreak emerged in February 2020,…

One dead, three hurt in Hungary hospital fire

Scene of fire incident BUDAPEST, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A fire at one of Hungary’s largest hospitals in Budapest killed one person and injured three on Sunday, according to Hungarian emergency services. The blaze began in a ground floor detoxification unit at the Szent Imre hospital around 07:30 am, police…

Armenian president quits citing ‘difficult times’ for nation

  YEREVAN, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Armenian President Armen Sarkissian announced that he is resigning his largely symbolic position, citing the inability of his office to influence policy during times of national crisis.    “I thought for a very long time and have decided to resign after four years of active…

Covid-19: Europe could be headed for pandemic ‘endgame’, says WHO

  COPENHAGEN, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Omicron variant has moved the Covid-19 pandemic into a new phase and could bring it to an end in Europe, the WHO Europe director said.   “It’s plausible that the region is moving towards a kind of pandemic endgame,” Hans Kluge said in an…

Cameroon govt says 16 killed in nightclub fire

     YAOUNDE, Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Cameroon’s government said Sunday that 16 people were killed in a fire caused by fireworks in a nightclub in the capital Yaounde.       “The initial report shows 16 dead and eight seriously injured” after the “accidental fire” broke out on in the early hours of…

German navy chief resigns over Putin comments

German Navy Vice Admiral Kay-Achim Schoenbach BERLIN, Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Germany’s navy chief stepped down on Saturday after drawing criticism for saying Russian President Vladimir Putin deserved respect and that Kyiv would never win back annexed Crimea from Moscow. “I have asked Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht to relieve me…

Gunshots heard in several Burkina Faso barracks

OUAGADOUGOU, Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gunfire rang out from several military camps in Burkina Faso early on Sunday, the government said, but it denied the military had seized power. Heavy arms fire at the capital Ouagadougou’s Sangoule Lamizana camp, which houses the army’s general staff and a prison whose inmates…

US navy stops ship carrying ‘explosive precursor’ from Iran

MANAMA, Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US navy said it had stopped a ship carrying 40 tons of a fertiliser that can be used to make explosives as it travelled from Iran along a route previously used to smuggle weapons to Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The navy said it boarded and…