Majority of Germans approve of Soeder seeking to replace Merkel

BERLIN, April 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A majority of German citizens approve of Bavarian premier Markus Soeder’s bid to lead the conservative CDU/CSU governing bloc into the federal election later this year.Both Armin Laschet from Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) and Soeder from the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) are…

Czech government on the verge of collapse as communists step back

Regular parliamentary elections are scheduled for early October PRAGUE, April 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Almost six months before parliamentary elections, the Czech minority government of Prime Minister Andrej Babis is threatening to disintegrate after the Communist party rescinded its agreement of tacit consent on Tuesday.Party leader Vojtech Filip told news agency…

Somalia’s president signs controversial two-year mandate extension

President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed of Somalia MOGADISHU, April 15 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Somalia’s president has defiantly signed into law an extension of his mandate and that of his government as the United States and others threatened sanctions and warned of further instability in one of the world’s most fragile countries.The president…

Covid-19: Malawi to destroy thousands of expired Covid vaccines – Minister

Medical personnel are seen at an ambulance outside the main COVID-19 treatment center LILONGWE, April 15 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — More than 16,000 doses of vaccine have reached their expiration date and will be destroyed in Malawi, after arriving in the southern African country three weeks ago, the health minister said.Of the…

Nigerians flee to Niger after third devastating attack in northeast

Damasak hit once again by Jihadists ABUJA, April 15 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Civilians are fleeing into the Niger Republic after gunmen attacked Damasak town, Borno state in northeast Nigeria on Wednesday – the third attack in a week and the second in 24 hours. The attacks reportedly by dozens of jihadist…

Covid-19: Empty streets in Tunis as Ramadan begins

Tunis city centre TUNIS, April 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The city centre of Tunisia’s capital Tunis, lies almost empty before “iftar”, or breaking the fast at sunset on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.The Tunisian government ahead of Ramadan extended its nighttime curfew by three hours, tightening…

Tunisian journalists protest appointment of state news agency boss

Dozens of the journalists gathered infront of the news agency TUNIS, April 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Journalists at Tunisia’s state news agency protest the appointment of a new chief executive.The protesting media professionals say the appointment of Kamel Ben Younes is an attempt at undermining editorial independence.Dozens of the journalists gathered…

‘Total mourning’ in Niger as 20 pre-school children perish in fire

Burned chairs, tables and other objects in the school NIAMEY, April 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Citizens in Niger are mourning 20 pre-school children aged between three and five – trapped in the flames of a horrific fire at a school on the outskirts of the country’s capital, Niamey.The young victims perished…

Covid-19: Vaccination delays top risk for global economy – IMF official

WASHINGTON, April 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Delays in Covid-19 vaccinations are the top risk facing the global economy, and getting people in poor countries inoculated should be a top priority, the IMF’s chief economist said. “The fact that there is this big gap in access to vaccinations is a big problem,”…

Peru’s presidential elections: Pedro Castillo and Keiko Fujimori likely candidates for runoff

LIMA, April 14 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Ultra-leftist candidate Pedro Castillo of the Peru Libre party and perennial conservative contender Keiko Fujimori looked poised to advance to the runoff after Peru’s National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) had counted 93.479% of the votes. Although these results are still preliminary, Castillo was visibly…