Libya reopens highway linking its east and west, closed since 2019

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah (C) attends a reopening ceremony of a coastal road in Sirte TRIPOLI, June 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Libya’s interim authorities reopened the Mediterranean coastal highway linking the country’s long-divided eastern and western cities on Sunday in the latest bid to reunite the land after years…

Africa’s 10 most peaceful countries, Mauritius leads the pack – 2021 Peace Index Report

Island nation of Mauritius is known for its pristine beaches PORT LOUIS, June 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mauritius has been ranked Africa’s most peaceful country according to the 2021 Global Peace Index, GPI, report released last week.The island nation ranked first on the continent and 28th most peaceful country in the…

Uganda president swears in First Lady as new Education and Sports minister

KAMPALA, June 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Janet Museveni, wife of Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni has been sworn in as the country’s new Education and Sports minister. The first lady was sworn-in along with other ministers and the new cabinet at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in the capital Kampala on Monday. The…

Covid-19: Zimbabwe runs out of vaccines amid third wave

HARARE, June 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabweans are finding it increasingly difficult to access Covid-19 vaccines at a time the country is recording a huge jump in the number of new infections and fears of a third wave of the pandemic.The southern African country started a mass vaccination programme in February…

Ethiopia elections 2021: PM Abiy Ahmed faces first vote amid conflict

Some 37 million people registered to vote in the election ADDIS ABABA, June 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ethiopians have been voting in key elections on Monday amid rising tensions and a conflict in the northern Tigray region. This pandemic-delayed poll is Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s first electoral test since coming to…

EU slaps fresh sanctions on Myanmar junta

  BRUSSELS, June 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The EU added eight more officials from Myanmar’s junta and three firms linked to the military to its sanctions blacklist over the coup and bloody repression of protests.    Those targeted with asset freezes and visa bans included the interior, security, finance, natural resources and…

Conflict violence against children soared in 2020: UN

  UNITED NATIONS, June 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Violence against children in war-torn countries soared in 2020, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to an annual United Nations report.   Child abductions increased 90 percent while rape and sexual abuse of children rose 70 percent compared to the previous year, said the…

Nigerian police kill 14 gunmen in central Nigeria

ABUJA, June 20 (NNN-Xinhua) — Nigerian police killed 14 gunmen after repelling their attempted attack on a police station in central Nigeria’s Benue state on Sunday morning, police said. Catherine Anene, a spokesperson for Benue police, said in a statement a group of gunmen numbering about 50 launched an attack…

Russian ambassador returns ‘optimistic’ to Washington

MOSCOW, June 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Russian ambassador in Washington flew back Sunday to the United States saying he hoped to build “equal and pragmatic” ties after a US-Russia summit in Geneva aimed at reducing tensions. The plane transporting ambassador Anatoly Antonov, who was recalled in March for consultations, took off…

Covid-19: Argentina records first “black fungus” death

BUENOS AIRES, June 20 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — A 35-year-old man who had had coronavirus and medical history of diabetes has been recorded as Argentina’s first death caused by “black fungus”. The patient, who died in the last weeks of May, had been hospitalized in Lomas de Zamora, a suburb outside the…