Nigeria: One hundred kidnapped villagers freed after 42 days of hostage

KANO (Nigeria), July 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — One hundred kidnapped villagers in northwest Nigeria have been freed, police said, following negotiations with their abductors who had held them hostage for 42 days.   Heavily armed gangs — called bandits by locals — have long plagued northwest and central Nigeria by looting, stealing…

Haiti: Neurosurgeon Ariel Henry sworn in as new PM; pledges to restore order and security

PORT-AU-PRINCE, July 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Haiti’s new prime minister Ariel Henry took office in the aftermath of the president’s assassination two weeks ago, pledging to improve the country’s dire security and to organize long-delayed elections. Henry was installed as head of a new government in an attempt to stabilize a…

Covid-19: Delta variant to dominate within months – WHO

GENEVA, July 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The highly contagious Delta variant of Covid-19 is expected to become the dominant strain of the virus over the coming months, the World Health Organization said. Delta, which was first detected in India, has now been recorded in 124 territories — 13 more than last week…

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman to visit China, highest trip under Pres Biden

WASHINGTON, July 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will travel to China this weekend, the State Department announced, making her the highest-ranking official under President Joe Biden to visit amid deep tensions. The visit is going ahead despite nearly daily new rifts between the two powers including…

13 policemen killed by cattle thieves in northwest Nigeria

KANO (Nigeria), July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thirteen policemen were killed in an ambush by cattle thieves in northwest Nigeria’s Zamfara state, in the latest spate of violence in the region, police said late on Sunday. A police unit was ambushed in Kurara Mota village in Bungudu district while “responding to…

Peru to officially declare Pedro Castillo as the new president

LIMA, July 19 (NNN-TELESUR) — The National Jury of Elections (JNE) is set to confirm leftist Pedro Castillo as Peru’s new President after rejecting all the electoral complaints filed by right-wing Popular Force (FP) candidate Keiko Fujimori.  JNE advisor Alexandra Marallano explained that the official announcement might take place on…

Covid-19: France reports more than 10,000 new cases for third day

People walk in the streets of Paris, some without protective face masks, as masks are no longer required outdoors PARIS, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France reported more than 12,500 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, the third day that the tally has held above 10,000, as the quick spread of the…

Covid-19: Protesters attack Cyprus TV over measures, vaccines

Police inspect the headquarters of local broadcaster Sigma TV after protesters against coronavirus measures attacked the premises NICOSIA, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Protesters against coronavirus measures and vaccines attacked a Cypriot television station and torched cars outside the building in Nicosia on Sunday evening, the station said. Police confirmed the…

Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard, whose Prophet Mohammed caricature sparked worldwide outrage, dies aged 86

   STOCKHOLM, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Danish artist Kurt Westergaard, famed for drawing a caricature the Prophet Mohammed which sparked outrage around the Muslim world, has died at the age 86, his family told Danish media on Sunday.    Westergaard passed away in his sleep after a long period of…

Floods kill 180 in Germany, Belgium; billions needed for rebuilding

Flood damage in the Blessem district of Erftstadt, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany BERLIN, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The death toll across Germany and Belgium topped 180 after rescue workers dug deeper into debris left by receding waters.Some 155 people have been confirmed dead in Germany while 27 have died in…