Covid-19: South Africa variant now ‘dominant’ in Zimbabwe

 HARARE, Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe says the coronavirus variant first discovered in neighbouring South Africa now makes up more than 60% of cases within its borders. It is the first country outside of South Africa to report that the so-called “501.YV2” variant is the dominant strain. Botswana, Zambia, Ghana…

Nigeria gunmen raid Kagara school and abduct boys

Criminal gangs often carry out kidnappings for ransom in Nigeria ABUJA, Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gunmen have killed a school pupil and abducted 27 other children in a night-time raid on their boarding school in north-central Nigeria, state governor Abubakar Sani Bello said. Three members of staff and 12 of their…

Spain: Violence in several cities over rapper Pablo Hasel’s jailing

The case of left-wing rapper Pablo Hasel has reignited a debate about free speech in Spain MADRID, Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Protests in support of a jailed Catalan rapper have descended into violence, with police and demonstrators clashing in Spain’s main cities. The protests erupted a day after Pablo Hasel was jailed for tweets…

Covid-19: One-third of US military refusing vaccine – Pentagon

WASHINGTON, Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pentagon officials said that about one-third of the US military are declining to receive the Covid-19vaccine, despite significant coronavirus infection levels in the forces. Major General Jeff Taliaferro revealed the high refusal rate inCongressional hearing, as the US Defense Department continues to classifycovid vaccines as…

Russia rejects calls from Europe court to release Navalny

MOSCOW, Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Europe’s rights court told Russia to release jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny out of concern for his life, but Moscow swiftly rejected the call. Navalny, President Vladimir Putin’s most outspoken opponent, was arrested and jailed upon returning to Russia last month following months of treatment…

US to help Guatemala address causes of undocumented migration

WASHINGTON, Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — As President Joe Biden works tooverhaul US immigration policy, the top US diplomat told hisGuatemalan counterpart that Washington would help address the root causes of irregular migration. Secretary of State Antony Blinken “emphasized the US commitment to addressing the structural problems that trigger irregular migration”…

US charges North Korean hackers in $1.3 bn theft scheme

WASHINGTON, Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Justice Department charged three North Korean military intelligence officials in a campaign ofcyberattacks to steal $1.3 billion in crypto and traditional currencies frombanks and other targets. The first action against Pyongyang by President Joe Biden’s administrationtook aim at what the department called “a…

Europe to meet US on Iran as nuclear deadline looms

PARIS, Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Top diplomats from European powers and the United States will hold talks to see how to revive the 2015 dealon Iran’s nuclear drive, days ahead of a deadline set by Tehran that couldhinder the efforts by limiting inspections. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will…

4 children killed in Uganda grenade explosion

KAMPALA, Feb 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — A grenade explosion killed fourchildren and injured five others Thursday in Maaji II Refugee Settlement inthe northwestern Ugandan district of Adjumani, police said. Local police in a statement said the children picked the explosive frombush and took it home, where they were joined by other…

Ebola outbreaks in Guinea, DR Congo stoke new fears in Africa

CONAKRY, Feb 19 (NNN-XINHUA) — New outbreaks of the deadly Ebolavirus disease in the two African countries of Guinea and the DemocraticRepublic of the Congo (DRC) are sending new jitters to Africa as thecontinent is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. In the West African country Guinea, bordering the Atlantic Ocean…