Spain: Sandstorm forces closure of airports on Canary Islands

Cars drive on the TF-1 highway during a sandstorm in Santa Cruz de Tenerife MADRID, Feb 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Airports on Spain’s Canary Islands were closed again on Sunday after a sandstorm hit the archipelago, airport authorities said. Air travel was first disrupted on the archipelago on Saturday after strong…

Disgruntled Haitian police attack army HQ

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Feb 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Haitian police demanding better working conditions shot up the army headquarters Sunday, the head of the armed forces said. Media reports said six people were wounded in the attack in Port-au-Prince. “We are under siege. We are coming under fire with all kinds of weapons…

Czech Republic hit by strong winds

PRAGUE, Feb 24 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Czech Republic was struck by strong winds as broken branches and uprooted trees caused widespread traffic and railway disruptions in the past days, local media reported. Wind speeds in the Czech Republic reached between 70 and 110 kilometers per hour, and approximately 125 kilometers…

Update: Togo President Faure Gnassingbe wins fourth term, according to provisional results

LOME, Feb 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Togo President Faure Gnassingbe has won a fourth term in power, according to provisional results declared by the national electoral commission.  He took 72 percent of the vote share in the first round of the presidential election, the commission said, far ahead of former prime minister…

Passenger on Air Canada flight tests positive for COVID-19

OTTAWA, Feb 24 (NNN-Xinhua) — Air Canada said that a passenger aboard one of its flights from Montreal to Vancouver on Feb 14 has tested positive for COVID-19. The airline said it was informed by health authorities on Saturday. “Air Canada is working with public health authorities and has taken…

Chilean government braced for March protests, says president

SANTIAGO, Feb 24 (NNN-Xinhua) — Chile’s President Sebastian Pinera said his government is ready to maintain “law and order” during protests planned for March. “Many are expecting a violent March. The government has prepared to safeguard law and order, and promote a March of agreements,” Pinera said via Twitter. Referring…

Libya’s interior minister says armed groups obstruct security services

Libya’s UN-backed Interior Minister Fathi Bashaga TRIPOLI, Feb 24 (NNN-Xinhua) — Libya’s UN-backed Interior Minister Fathi Bashaga said that armed groups obstruct and extort security services in the capital Tripoli. “Militias in Tripoli attack institutions and obstruct the government, using their powers being part of security agencies. They do not…

Italy’s coronavirus outbreak is the biggest outside Asia

ROME, Feb 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy scrambled to check the spread of Europe’s first major outbreak of the new viral disease amid rapidly rising numbers of infections and a third death, calling off the popular Venice Carnival, scrapping major league soccer matches in the stricken area and shuttering theaters, including…

Provisional results of Togo presidential elections to be announced Feb 24

Incumbent President Faure Gnassingbe LOME, Feb 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Togolese are anxiously waiting for the provisional results of the Feb 22 presidential election to find the new president-elect of the country who will lead for the next five years. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) of Togo said that it…

US Pres Trump says he would sign a peace deal with the Taliban

WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump said he would sign a peace deal with the Taliban if one were eventually reached in Afghanistan. “Yes,” he told reporters at the White House as he prepared to depart on a trip to India. “I would put my name on…