Russia: Pres Putin says ‘errors’ in court documents revealing troops in Ukraine

MOSCOW, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia said that court documents, which inadvertently revealed its troops are stationed in separatist-held regions of Ukraine, contained “errors” and denied its military had crossed Ukraine’s borders.     Kiev and its allies in the West say Russia is supporting breakaway fighters in the east of…

German court sentences man who ploughed car into parade to life in prison

BERLIN, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A German court sentenced a man to life in prison for ploughing his car into a carnival parade in the western German town of Volkmarsen last year, injuring dozens, including 20 children, tagesschau.de reported on Thursday. The local man, now 31 years old, was accused…

Nigeria busts forex syndicate, retrieves US$427,400 fake dollar bills

Exhibits of the fake currency displayed by the EFCC ABUJA, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Finance Crimes Commission, EFCC, has reported the busting of a fake currency syndicate in the capital Abuja.In a statement posted on their Facebook page, the EFCC said they, “arrested members…

Record 488 journalists imprisoned, 46 killed in 2021: RSF

Reporters Without Borders said it had never seen so many female journalists detained, with the overall number of 60 representing a third more than 2020 PARIS, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — There are currently 488 media professionals imprisoned around the world, the highest number since Reporters Without Borders began counting more…

Covid-19: France to ban non-essential UK travel over Omicron surge

PARIS, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France will ban non-essential travel to and from Britain from the weekend to slow the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant that is causing record numbers of cases on the other side of the Channel, the government said. From midnight on Saturday there will be a…

New York City names first female police chief

NEW YORK, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — New York City’s police force will be led by a woman for the first time in its 176-year history, Mayor-elect Eric Adams announced. Keechant Sewell, 49, is a 23-year veteran of the Nassau Police Department in nearby Long Island, where she became chief of…

Covid-19: German raids on extremists over Saxony leader death plot

Police searched several properties in the state capital Dresden and nearby Heidenau  DRESDEN (Saxony, Germany), Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Police in Germany’s eastern state of Saxony have launched a series of raids after death threats were made against Premier Michael Kretschmer for backing coronavirus measures. Far-right anti-vaccination activists are suspected…

UN chief says cross-border aid to Syria rebel bastion vital

   UNITED NATIONS, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Cross-border humanitarian aid to Syria remains vital, the United Nations Secretary-General said in an internal report, as a UN authorization allowing aid into rebel-held areas in the country’s northwest without approval from Damascus is up for renewal.    A rare moment of cooperation…

Covid-19: Omicron spreading at unprecedented rate, WHO says

GENEVA, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The new coronavirus variant Omicron is spreading across the globe at an unprecedented rate, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned. Cases of the heavily mutated variant have been confirmed in 77 countries. But at a press conference, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it…

Update: 75 dead in Haiti truck explosion amid fears toll will rise

  CAP-HAITIEN (Haiti), Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Fears grew Wednesday the death toll from a massive gas truck explosion in Haiti would climb as officials scrambled to provide care for dozens suffering burn injuries sustained in theaccident.   One day after the blast in Haiti’s second largest city of Cap-Haitien,…