Pres Biden extends US support for International Space Station through 2030

The station would operate through 2030 if approved by international partners and funded by US Congress WASHINGTON, Jan 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The administration of US President Joe Biden has committed to extending the International Space Station (ISS) operations through 2030, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said. Nelson said that the Biden…

Sudan crisis: Death toll in latest day of protests rises to five, say medics

KHARTOUM, Jan 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The death toll from a police crackdown on the latest nationwide protests against military rule in Sudan rose to five on Friday, the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors said. The group of medics, which is aligned with the protest movement, said the fifth person who…

Canada to resettle female Afghan judges, families living in limbo

TORONTO, Jan 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Canada will take in female Afghan judges and their families who have been living in limbo, primarily in Greece, since their evacuation from Afghanistan in the fall, a spokesperson for the immigration minister said. In addition to the judges and their families, a group totalling…

US: Colorado wildfire had largely burned itself out, with help of heavy snowfall

A house in Louisville, Colo., was consumed by fire on Thursday SUPERIOR (Colorado, US), Jan 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A fast-spreading wildfire that tore through several Colorado towns – laying waste to entire neighborhoods “in the blink of an eye”, according to the governor – had largely burned itself out on Friday,…

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,…