Somalia: UN delays Amisom exit as Somalis push for a political deal

Amisom troops patrol in Merca, in southern Somalia UNITED NATIONS, March 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The mandate of the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) has been extended by two weeks from end of February to March 14 as the country’s leaders push for a political deal.A unanimous decision reached by…

Covid-19: Pres Biden promises vaccines will be available for every US adult by end of May

 WASHINGTON, March 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US will have enough coronavirus vaccines for every adult by the end of May, President Joe Biden said. This will be two months earlier than previously expected, but Biden said the vaccination drive must be extended, too, and people convinced to take it. And he…

Russia says new Western sanctions ‘absolutely unacceptable’

MOSCOW, March 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Kremlin said Westernsanctions on Russia were “absolutely unacceptable” and dismissed as“outrageous” claims that the country’s security agency was behind thepoisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny. “We believe such measures are absolutely unacceptable because theysignificantly damage already bad relations,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists…

10 killed in airplane crash in South Sudan

JUBA, March 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A commercial plane crashed in South Sudan, killing all 10 people on board, according to the governor of Jonglei state.  Ten people including eight passengers and two pilots lost their lives after South Supreme Airlines flight HK-4274 bound for the capital Juba took off from the town of Pieri…

Covid-19: Explosive goes off near test centre in Netherlands

The scene of the blast in The Netherlands. AMSTERDAM, March 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An explosion occurred Wednesday near a Covid-19 test centre in the Netherlands, shattering windows but causing no apparent injuries, police said. “Near the local health service’s testing centre in Bovenkarspel, an explosive went off at 6:55 am.…

Brazil: Pres Bolsonaro promises to sign decree suspending tax on diesel to prevent truckers strike

BRASILIA, March 3 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said he would suspend a tax on diesel fuel, to try and placate truckers, but the government would instead hike taxes on banks to offset lost revenue. In a video posted to social media, Bolsonaro said the decree would suspend both…

Nigeria: Pres Buhari bans mining, imposes ‘no-fly-zone’ on restive Zamfara state

Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria ABUJA, March 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that Nigeria’s northwestern Zamfara State be declared a no fly-zone.The National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after a meeting of National Security Council at the Presidential Villa,…

Ebola infects 28 people, kills 11 in Guinea, DRC

ADDIS ABABA, March 3 (NNN-Xinhua) — The African countries of Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have reported 28 Ebola virus cases and 11 deaths so far, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. The DRC reported 11 cases and four deaths; while…

Canada: Toronto van attacker faces verdict in killing of 10 bystanders; uses autism as his defence

TORONTO (Canada), March 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Canadian man who killed 10 people by ploughing a van into pedestrians in Toronto will learn whether his actions were criminal or owed to an autism spectrum disorder when a judge delivers her verdict on Wednesday. Alek Minassian pleaded “not criminally responsible” due…

US: At least 13 dead after SUV, truck collide in California

At least 13 people were killed when an SUV collided with a large truck near the US-Mexico border LOS ANGELES, March 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 13 people were killed in southern California when a vehicle packed with passengers collided with a large truck in a “chaotic scene” close to…