Germany, France, UK, US agree ‘to revive transatlantic ties’

BERLIN, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The foreign ministers of Germany, France, Britain and the United States on Friday said they wanted “to revive” the transatlantic relationship, following their first in-depth talks since President Joe Biden took office. “The foreign ministers agreed that they want to revive the traditionally close transatlantic…

Covid-19: Pres Biden says will ‘act fast’ on Covid relief, Americans near ‘breaking point’

WASHINGTON, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) – President Joe Biden said he has to “act fast” to push a huge new economic relief package through Congress, even without Republican support, because many Americans are near the “breaking point.” “I see enormous pain in this country, a lot of folks out of work,…

ICC rules its ‘territorial jurisdiction’ extends to Palestinian areas

THE HAGUE, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The International Criminal Court ruled that it had jurisdiction over the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, paving the way for the tribunal’s prosecutor to open a war crimes investigation. Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda had asked the court for its legal opinion on whether its…

Russia expels European diplomats over Navalny protests – Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia will expel diplomats from Sweden, Poland and Germany over their alleged participation in recent “unauthorized” rallies in support of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, the Foreign Ministry said. The expulsions come amid European Union foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell’s visit to Moscow, where he lamented to his…

UN chief welcomes agreement on Libya interim executive authority

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 6 (NNN-XINHUA) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the agreement on a new interim executive authority for Libya. “Today we have very good news in our search for peace. I welcome the selection by members of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) of a unified, temporary executive…

Nigerian central bank bans cryptocurrency

Nigeria’s cryptocurrency market was booming ABUJA, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs) and Other Financial Institutions (OFls) to close the accounts used for cryptocurrency operations.The CBN in a circular issued on Friday, ordered all financial…

Denmark to build world’s ‘first energy island’ in North Sea

An impression of the island, surrounded by offshore wind turbines, 260m in height COPENHAGEN, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) —A project to build a giant island providing enough energy for three million households has been given the green light by Denmark’s politicians. The world’s first energy island will be as big as 18 football pitches…

Covid-19: US in tug-of-war with teachers over reopening schools

LOS ANGELES, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — From lawsuits in San Francisco tothreats of a remote learning “lockout” in Chicago, US officials are rampingup the pressure on teachers and their unions to reopen schools that have been closed for almost a year due to Covid. Education professionals are fighting back, insisting…

Germany welcomes US troop withdrawal freeze

US soldiers in Wiesbaden, Germany BERLIN, Feb 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — Germany welcomed the US decision to stop the military withdrawal from Germany planned by former President Donald Trump, federal government spokesperson Steffen Seibert said Friday. “We have always been convinced that the stationing of American troops here in Germany serves…

South Korean trade minister Yoo withdraws from WTO chief race, leaves Nigerian to lead the global body

Former Nigerian finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the only remaining candidate for the WTO director-general’s post SEOUL, Feb 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Korea’s trade minister Yoo Myung-hee has withdrawn from the race to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO), clearing the way for members to appoint the first African and…