Nigeria: Militants attack UN base, trapping 25 aid workers

KANO (Nigeria), March 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Militants linked to the Daesh group have attacked a UN base and overrun a humanitarian hub in northeastern Nigeria, trapping 25 aid workers, security and humanitarian sources said. Scores of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters invaded thetown of Dikwa in restive Borno…

Nigeria: All 279 kidnapped girl students released – governor

GUSAU (Nigeria), March 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — All 279 girls kidnapped from their boarding school in northern Nigeria have been released and are on government premises, the local governor said Tuesday. Nigeria has been rocked by four mass abductions of students in less than three months, sparking widespread anger against the…

Ethiopia postpones voters’ registration for general elections, citing regional delays

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in 2018 ADDIS ABABA, March 2 (NNN-Xinhua) — Ethiopia’s agency to manage elections on Monday announced postponement of voters’ registration for the country’s sixth general elections this year, citing challenges like delayed support from regions. In a press statement, the National Electoral Board…

Covid-19: Bolivia, Uruguay launches mass vaccination campaigns

LA PAZ, March 2 (NNN-Xinhua) — Bolivia on Monday launched a mass immunization campaign against COVID-19 in the western department of La Paz with vaccines developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinopharm. “We want to save the lives of people who are at risk. With this vaccine, we give greater security…

Covid-19: Global cases on the rise after six weeks of decline – WHO

The number of reported coronavirus infections around the world is on the rise GENEVA, March 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The number of reported coronavirus infections around the world is once again on the rise after six straight weeks of decline, the head of the World Health Organization said.“This is disappointing, but…

Covid-19: Finland declares state of emergency to tackle rise in cases

Coronavirus cases have soared in Finland HELSINKI, March 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Finnish government declared a state of emergency, which enhances its powers to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.The government also announced it would move ahead with the temporary closure of cafes, bars and restaurants in areas where the epidemic is…

Eight arrested in Germany after raids targeting neo-Nazi network

The suspects are accused of organized drug trafficking and money laundering BERLIN, March 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Eight people were arrested following major raids in several German states, as officials targeted a neo-Nazi network, an official said.The suspects are accused of organized drug trafficking and money laundering, according to a spokesperson…

UN appeals for 3.85 billion dollars as Yemen faces famine

UN is seeking help for Yemen UNITED NATIONS, March 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations is appealing for 3.85 billion dollars in funding to save millions of people in Yemen from hunger.Last year, countries only donated 1.9 billion dollars for people in Yemen, just over half of the funding that…

UK: Sentences for people smugglers set to be ‘stiffened’

Britain is making moves to clamp down on smugglers of migrants LONDON, March 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The British government is considering a crackdown on people smugglers who bring undocumented migrants across the English Channel, says Prime Minister Boris Johnson.“It is outrageous that the gangsters, the people smugglers, these thugs, are…

Covid-19: African presidents who have publicly received shots as scepticisms persist

Collage of African leaders receiving coronavirus jabs PRETORIA, March 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Coronavirus vaccines are gradually rolling into Africa as countries feverishly prepare for immediate rollout.The issue of skepticism however remains rife for which reason governments have been tasked with increasing education and building public confidence around the safety of vaccines.One…