Panama ex-president’s son arraigned in US on graft charges

Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Linares (C), son of former Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli, leaves the Tower of Courts after the ruling that supports his extradition to the United States, in Guatemala City, Guatemala NEW YORK, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The son of Panama’s ex-president Ricardo Martinelli was arraigned Saturday by a…

UK gives 23 more post-Brexit permits to French fishermen

Fishermen shell scallops at fish market in the harbour of Ouisterham, northwestern France BRUSSELS, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain has granted another 23 licences to French fishermen, a government spokesperson said Saturday, a day after a deadline set by Paris to resolve a post-Brexit battle over fishing rights. The EU…

California man charged in Jan 6 US Capitol riot flees to Belarus

WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A California man charged with assaulting police in the Jan 6 riot at the US Capitol and using a metal barricade as a battering ram has fled the United States and is believed to have taken refuge in Belarus, federal prosecutors said. Evan Neumann, 49, was indicted…

Covid-19: Brazilian Supreme Court justice mandates proof of vaccination to enter the country

BRASILIA, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Luis Roberto Barroso ruled on Saturday that the country must demand proof of vaccination for visitors seeking to enter the country. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied requests of state health regulator Anvisa to demand vaccination proof from visitors.  But…

Avalanche at Washington state ski resort kills 1, traps 5

SEATTLE, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An avalanche swept through part of a Washington state ski resort used to access backcountry skiing on Saturday, killing a 60-year-old man and temporarily trapping five others. The avalanche was reported about 10.50am in the Silver Basin area of Crystal Mountain, which is located about 137km southeast…

Covid-19: Another 633 Omicron cases identified in UK in biggest daily jump

LONDON, Dec 12 (NNN-Xinhua) — Another 633 Omicron cases have been confirmed in Britain, the biggest daily increase since the COVID-19 variant was detected in the country, taking the total cases found in the country to 1,898, British health authorities said. The latest data came as experts are warning Omicron…

German Cabinet backs extending troop deployment in Mali

BERLIN, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The German Cabinet has backed extending the mandates for troop deployments to Mali under UN and European Union auspices.The Cabinet gave the green light on Wednesday for German troops to continue to participate in the EU’s European Union Training Mission (EUTM) programme and in the…

Samuel Eto’o elected as Cameroon FA president

Eto’o has appeared at four World Cups YAOUNDE, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Former Barcelona and Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o has been elected as the President of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot) on Saturday.Eto’o saw off challenge from the interim President of Fecafoot, Seidou Mbombo Njoya after five other candidates opted…

Covid-19: Unvaccinated must get jabs on arrival in Ghana

Ghana say most of the Omicron cases at Kotoka International Airport are amongst the unvaccinated ACCRA, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ghana is introducing some of the world’s strictest Covid travel rules, by banning any adult who has not been vaccinated from flying in with effect from Monday. There is no…

Benin opposition leader Reckya Madougou sentenced to 20 years for terrorism

  PORTO-NOVO, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Benin opposition leader and former justice minister Reckya Madougou was sentenced on Saturday to 20 years in prison for terrorism before a special court in the capital Porto-Novo.    After more than 20 hours of hearings after she went on trial Friday, Madougou, 47,…