African ministerial meeting to focus on COVID-19, AfCFTA

ADDIS ABABA, Feb 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are set to take center stage at the upcoming Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development held under the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The conference…

At least nine Malian soldiers killed in suspected militant attack

Central Mali has seen a string of deadly attacks since the start of the year BAMAKO, Feb 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nine soldiers were killed in Mali’s troubled central region early Wednesday when their camp came under attack from insurgents, security sources said.Their position at Boni, located between Douentza and Hombori…

Ethiopia crisis: Tigray region at risk of huge ‘humanitarian disaster’

About 200,000 people are said to have been displaced by the conflict  ADDIS ABABA, Feb 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Opposition parties in Ethiopia’s Tigray region have warned of a huge “humanitarian disaster” if aid is not delivered urgently. The parties said people were already dying from hunger and urged the international community to intervene.…

New mass graves discovered in Colombia

BOGOTA, Feb 3 (NNN-TELESUR) — Nine people were found dead in the Nariño department, thus becoming the latest victims of the increasing violence in Colombia.  Hercules Joint Task Force Command confirmed the Monday discovery of three mass graves in the Roberto Payan municipality where five corpses were found. The victims were allegedly killed on…

Covid-19: Blockade hinders Venezuela access to Covax scheme for vaccines

CARACAS/QUITO, Feb 3 (NNN-TELESUR) — The Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) representative in Venezuela, Paolo Balladelli, said that “between 1,425,000 and 2,409,600 doses” of the AstraZeneca vaccine will be delivered to the country by the end of February through the COVAX scheme. “It is essential to have the support of all forces and…

US authorizes certain port, airport operations with Venezuela

WASHINGTON/CARACAS, Feb 3 (NNN-TELESUR) — The US Treasury Department has issued a license authorizing certain transactions “necessary” for port and airport operations in Venezuela. It is “General License 30A”, through which “all transactions and activities involving the Government of Venezuela prohibited by Executive Order (E.O.) 13884 of August 5, 2019,…

Draghi, ex ECB chief invited to form new government in Italy

Draghi is invited to meet Italy’s president later on Wednesday ROME, Feb 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italian President Sergio Mattarella has invited former European Central Bank (ECB) chief Mario Draghi to talk about forming a new government. Draghi is set to meet President Matarella later on Wednesday. The summons comes shortly…

Russian dissident sentenced to 3.5 years in jail despite demands from Western countries

MOSCOW, Feb 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russian dissident Alexei Navalny was sentenced to three and a half years in a penal colony after a Moscow court found him guilty of disobeying the terms of his probation over the 2014 money laundering case. In the Tuesday ruling, however, the court also took…

Update: 2 FBI agents killed, 3 wounded, suspect dead in Florida

SUNRISE (Florida, US), Feb 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two FBI agents were killed and three wounded in a shooting that erupted on Tuesday when they arrived to search an apartment in a child pornography case, a confrontation that marked one of the bloodiest days in FBI history. The suspect is believed…

Uganda: 32 killed in accident involving passenger-laden trucks and a car

KAMPALA, Feb 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 32 people were confirmed dead and five others seriously injured after a grisly accident involving five vehicles along Fort Portal-Kasese highway on Tuesday night. The 9pm accident occurred at Kihogo along Hima–Rugendabara road, according to eye witness accounts. The section of the highway is…