US backs Japan concerns on China ships

WASHINGTON, Feb 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced concern over China’s incursions into Japanese territorialwaters, recommitting to the ally’s defense. In a telephone call, Blinken and Japanese foreign minister ToshimitsuMotegi “expressed concern over increased Chinese assertiveness around the Senkaku Islands following China’s enactment of a new…

Haitian police fire tear gas on protesters, journalists

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Feb 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Haitian police fired tear gas onhundreds of protesters who were marching against President Jovenel Moise in Port-au-Prince Wednesday, and attacked journalists covering thedemonstration, in the latest clashes to mark the country’s political crisis. The protesters accuse Moise of illegally extending his term in office. He…

Trump impeachment trial: Terrifying riot footage dominates 2nd day proceeding

WASHINGTON, Feb 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Impeachment prosecutors Wednesday aired terrifying, never-before-seen footage of senior US politicians fleeing for their lives during the January assault on Congress by Donald Trump supporters on day two of the former president’s Senate trial. With painstaking, graphic presentations, Democratic impeachment managers walked senators through hours…

South Sudan unveils new currency; the 1000 pound note

Features of the new 1,000 South Sudanese pound JUBA, Feb 11 (NNN-XINHUA) — South Sudan’s central bank has introduced a new banknote of 1,000 South Sudanese pounds (SSP) as Africa’s youngest nation continues to struggle with hyperinflation amid a shortage of foreign reserves.Dier Tong Ngor, governor of the Bank of…

Frustration mounts in Northern Kenya as Al-shabaab threats grow

Al-shabaab militant group NAIROBI, Feb 11 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — In the arid northern corner of Kenya, bordering Somalia and Ethiopia, lies a growing frustration.It is largely because of the increasing strength of the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab group. Some 1,000 kilometers from the capital, Nairobi, the Mandera County is increasingly coming under the…

Pres Erdogan says Turkey might consider leaving Libya if others go first

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan ANKARA, Feb 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Turkey will discuss withdrawing its forces from Libya if other foreign troops leave first, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. In December, Turkey’s parliament authorized an 18-month extension of its troop deployment in Libya. Speaking at an event in Ankara, Erdogan…

Covid-19: South Africa turns to Johnson & Johnson vaccine, switching from AstraZeneca

PRETORIA, Feb 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa will start vaccinating front-line health workers next week with a shot that is still in testing — after officials abandoned plans to use another vaccine that a small study suggests is only minimally effective against the variant dominant in the country. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize…

Covid-19: Europe’s oldest person survives covid just before 117th birthday

Sister Andre said she wasn’t afraid of having Covid  TOULON (France), Feb 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A French nun who is Europe’s oldest person has survived Covid-19, just days before her 117th birthday. Lucile Randon, who took the name of Sister Andre in 1944, tested positive for coronavirus on Jan 16 but didn’t develop…

28 peacekeepers wounded in Mali attack: UN

BAMAKO, Feb 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Twenty-eight United Nationspeacekeepers were wounded in an attack on their base in central Malion Wednesday, a UN spokesperson said, in the latest violence to hitthe Sahel state. Unidentified militants attacked a temporary base near Kerena, avillage in the war-torn centre of country, at around 7…

Morocco factory flood death toll rises to 28

Emergency services carry a man on a stretcher outside the workshop in Tangiers  RABAT, Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Morocco’s premier has promised “sanctions” after 28 people died when heavy rain flooded an illegal textiles workshop in a basement, reviving a debate on work conditions in the North African country. Authorities in…