US Pres Biden to hold weekend call with Ukraine leader after Putin talks

 WASHINGTON, Jan 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Joe Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky will speak by phone on Sunday, both sides confirmed, after the US leader again warned that Russia’s Vladimir Putinwould face a tough response to any invasion of the eastern European country.    Using some of his…

Italian president thanks citizens for sense of responsibility in New Year speech

ROME, Jan 1 (NNN-Xinhua) — In what was due to be his last New Year speech as the country’s president, Sergio Mattarella thanked Italians for their “maturity and sense of responsibility” during the two years of the coronavirus pandemic. Mattarella, 80, was elected Italy’s 12th president on Jan 31, 2015,…

Covid-19: Portugal’s daily cases exceed 30,000

LISBON, Jan 1 (NNN-Xinhua) — Portugal registered 30,829 new infections with COVID-19 in the last 24 hours on Friday, a new high since the beginning of the pandemic and bringing the total number of infections to 1,389,646. There were also 18 more deaths associated with COVID-19, according to figures released…

With Samia Suluhu Hassan at the helm, Tanzania regains foothold on economic growth ladder

DAR ES SALAAM, Jan 1 (NNN-Xinhua) — Tanzanians started the year 2021 with a somber note following the death of President John Magufuli on March 17. Magufuli, 61, who died from a heart condition, was reelected in October 2020 to lead the east African nation for the second and final…

Nigeria: Gunmen kidnap Delta pastor, kill wife

Gunmen kidnap pastor and kill his wife ABUJA, Jan 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have attacked a pastor Prophet Jay Jay Enejeta, in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.Enejeta who is the General Overseer of Faith Fasting and Prayer Ministry in the…

Covid-19: More cases hit Africa Cup of Nations teams

Africa Cup of Nations trophy YAOUNDE, Jan 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Four Cameroon players have tested positive for COVID-19, with the Africa Cup of Nations hosts set to kick off the tournament against Burkina Faso in just over a week’s time, the country’s football federation said.Other teams preparing for the finals,…

Presidents Putin, Biden discuss Moscow’s security proposals in year-end telephone call

MOSCOW, Jan 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Joe Biden discussed Russia’s recent security proposals during their telephone call, the Kremlin said. “Both leaders discussed agreements reached during their previous consultations on Dec 7, including the decision to launch negotiations on the provision of legal…

Covid clouds world New Year party

SYDNEY, Jan 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The world began ushering in 2022 on Friday after another tumultuous and pandemic-ridden year capped by new restrictions, soaring case numbers, and a slight glimmer of hope for better times ahead. The past 12 months saw a new US president, the first spectator-free Olympics, and…

Eight soldiers killed in Mali attack, army says

BAMAKO, Dec 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Eight soldiers have been killed and seven others were injured when their patrol was ambushed by a suspected armed group in western Mali, the army said in a statement. The attack occurred late in the afternoon on Wednesday near the town of Nara, about 30km…

Update: Most devastating wildfire in Colorado history torches some 600 structures

Footage of fires burning in Superior, Colorado DENVER (Colorado, US), Dec 31 (NNN-Xinhua) — After only five hours of burning on Thursday, the Marshall fire in Boulder County, Colorado, engulfed some 600 homes and became the most devastating wildfire in the state’s history. “This is catastrophic,” said ABC News, pointing…