Nigeria: 10 schools closed over student abduction; teachers’ union threatens nationwide strike

ABUJA, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A total of 10 schools were closed in Nigeria’s northwestern state of Zamfara, which shares borders with Katsina where over 300 students were declared missing after a recent attack on their school by gunmen. Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Commissioner for Education in Zamfara, said the schools…

African Court: DR Congo ratifies the Protocol

ADDIS ABABA, Dec 17 (NNN-GNA) — The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has deposited its instrument of ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.The instrument was deposited at the African Union (AU)…

EU halts aid to Ethiopia over Tigray conflict

The five-week war has killed thousands, and displaced 950,000 people ADDIS ABABA, Dec 17 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — The European Union has postponed almost 90 million euros in budget support payments to Ethiopia over the bloc’s concerns of the Tigray crisis, according to an EU document seen by various media organisations.The move…

Covid-10: US sets new 24-hour record of infections

WASHINGTON, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US set a new daily record ofCovid-19 cases with more than 248,000 infections registered in thepast 24 hours, the Johns Hopkins University virus monitor reported. In the same period, 2,706 new deaths were recorded, according to datareleased by the university. Coronavirus infections have increased…

MPs urge UK to lead effort to replace “beyond repair” Iran nuclear deal

LONDON, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UK lawmakers urged Britainto spearhead an international effort to replace the 2015 Iran nuclear deal,in a new report calling for tougher relations with Tehran. Parliament’s watchdog foreign affairs committee said the deal to rein inIran’s ballistic missile programme — known formally as the JointComprehensive Plan…

Covid-19: Tighter rules kick in for London as cases mount

LONDON, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — London on Wednesday moved into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions in an effort to control rising infection rates, dealing another blow to hospitality venues before Christmas. The British capital’s move into “Tier 3” means theatres, pubs, restaurantswill have to close, although takeaway food outlets…

Covid-19: Germany sees record death toll on first day of new lockdown

BERLIN, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Germany registered a recordnumber of deaths from Covid-19 on Wednesday, the first day of a new partial lockdown to try and curb a surge in infections. A total of 952 people died in the previous 24 hours, according to theRobert Koch Institute disease control centre.…

Covid-19: WHO urges masks at Christmas fearing new Europe surge

COPENHAGEN, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization in Europe urged families to wear face masks during this year’s Christmas family gatherings, as it warned of a “further resurgence” of Covid-19 in early 2021. The UN agency said people should not underestimate “the importance of your decisions” and encouraged…

Russian Pres Putin congratulates Pres-elect Joe Biden on US election victory: Kremlin

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin shakes hands with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden during their meeting in Moscow March 10, 2011 MOSCOW, Dec 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday congratulated Joe Biden on his victory in the US presidential election, after Biden won the state-by-state Electoral College vote…

Kenya: Striking nurses and clinicians enters 2nd week of protests

The healthcare workers have been on strike since last Monday. NAIROBI, Dec 15 (NNN-KBC) — Patients at various public hospitals remained stranded for the second week as health care workers ditched hospitals for the streets demanding the government addresses their welfare concerns. The protests continue amid mounting pressure to unlock…