Climate change: 480,000 killed by extreme weather this century

A flooded area of Buzi, central Mozambique, after the passage of cyclone Idai. PARIS, Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Almost half a million people have died in natural disasters linked to extreme weather events in the last 20 years, according to a new assessment of the direct threat posed to humanity by…

Central African Republic war crimes suspect Mahamat Said surrenders to ICC: Statement

Seleka fighters stand in their base before a mission in the town of Lioto, Central African Republic, on June 9, 2014 THE HAGUE, Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The International Criminal Court said it had taken into custody a former Central African Republic commander of the “Seleka” faction suspected of war crimes…

Covid-19: Pres Biden to reinstate travel bans on most non-US citizens – White House official

WASHINGTON, Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Joe Biden will announce he is re-imposing a Covid-19 travel ban on most non-US citizens who have been in Britain, Brazil, Ireland and much of Europe, a White House official said, as the new administration ramps up its pandemic response. Biden will also on…

Covid-19: Portuguese defense minister tests positive; mild condition

LISBON, Jan 25 (NNN-Xinhua) — Portuguese Defense Minister Joao Gomes Cravinho tested positive for COVID-19 with mild symptoms, his office said. According to a statement from the Ministry of Defense, Cravinho is already “in confinement, keeping working at a distance.” This is the seventh Portuguese minister, out of a total…

FAO warns of renewed desert locust invasion in Kenya, Ethiopia

A mature swarm flying over a village near Abyan, Yemen, looking for suitable areas to lay eggs that will hatch after about two weeks ADDIS ABABA, Jan 25 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned swarms of desert locusts are expected to descend on large parts…

Russian Nord Stream 2 pipe-laying ship begins work off Denmark

COPENHAGEN, Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Russian ship tasked with completing the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline has begun work in waters off Denmark, the company said. The pipe-laying vessel “Fortuna”, owned by the Russian company KVT-RUS, had earlier been located, by marine tracing apps, some 28 kilometres south…

Aid groups urge US Pres Biden to remove Yemen’s rebel Houthis from ‘terror’ list

SANA’A, Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Twenty-two aid groups working in Yemen urged US President Joe Biden to remove the war-torn country’s Houthi rebels from a terror blacklist, saying it could put millions of lives at risk. The Trump administration’s move against the insurgents had come into effect the day before…

Covid-19: German government fears attacks on vaccine facilities, staff by anti-vaxxers

BERLIN, Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The German government says it is preparing for possible attacks on vaccination centres, vaccine transports or even vaccine makers.Although there are no concrete indications of such attacks so far, there is an “abstract threat” to the above-mentioned institutions due to “the great media presence as…

Covid-19: US passes 25 million Covid-19 cases – Johns Hopkins

WASHINGTON, Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 25 million Covid-19 cases have been recorded in the United States since the pandemic began, Johns Hopkins University said, just days after President Joe Biden’s inauguration. The milestone was reached only five days after the US, the world’s wealthiest and hardest-hit nation, recorded…

Burundi ruling party selects hardliner as secretary-general

Reverien Ndikuriyo GITEGA, Jan 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Burundi’s ruling party has selected as the former president of the country’s senate to be the new secretary-general. Reverien Ndikuriyo was picked Sunday by the ruling party, the National Council for the Defense of Democracy–Forces for the Defense of Democracy, known by its…