Two dead as Sydney to Melbourne passenger train derails

The train was transporting 160 passengers when it crashed SYDNEY, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two people were killed when a Sydney to Melbourne express train derailed near the Victorian town of Wallan, officials say. Several other passengers were being treated for injuries, emergency services said. One person was airlifted to…

Lesotho: PM Thomas Thabane to be charged with murdering his wife

Thomas Thabane (centre) at his inauguration in 2017 with Maesaiah Thabane MASERU, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Lesotho’s Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, 80, is to be charged with the murder of his estranged wife Lipolelo Thabane, police have said. Thabane announced he would be stepping down in July because of old…

Over 3 million people in Niger need urgent aid, says UNICEF

NIAMEY, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) –Nearly three million people, more than half of them children, in Niger are in need of humanitarian assistance in the West African country, UNICEF said. The United Nations Children’s Fund also called for increased attention to the plight of children and their families. “In a context…

Ireland: Lower house of parliament fails to elect new PM for country

Parties in the 160-seat chamber convened and nominated candidates to lead a new government but with none commanding a majority, it was adjourned until March 5  DUBLIN, Feb 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — The newly formed lower house of the Irish parliament failed to elect a new prime minister for the country…

US: Pres Trump formally names Richard Grenell as acting intelligence chief

WASHINGTON, Feb 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — US President Donald Trump formally designated Richard Grenell, US ambassador to Germany, as acting director of national intelligence, according to a White House statement. “[Grenell] is committed to a non-political, non-partisan approach as head of the Intelligence Community, on which our safety and security depend,”…

South Sudan president to reappoint rebel leader Machar in unity government

President Kiir (right) and Machar JUBA, Feb 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — South Sudan President Salva Kiir said he will reappoint opposition leader Riek Machar on Friday as First Vice President. Machar, leader of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), will assume his position of First Vice President as stipulated in the…

Staff in 74 UK universities start 2-week strike over pensions

LONDON, Feb 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — Up to 50,000 staff members in 74 universities across Britain started a 14-day strike on Thursday over disputes on pension, pay and working conditions. Members of the University and College Union (UCU), including lecturers, technicians, librarians and other academic and support staff, are joining the…

Russia-backed Syrian troops repel attacks of Turkey-supported militants: Russian military

MOSCOW, Feb 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — Syrian government troops covered by Russian warplanes on Thursday repelled several massive attacks of militants supported by Turkey in Syria’s Idlib, according to the Russian military. Militants supported by artillery fire of the Turkish Armed Forces managed to break through the defense of the Syrian…

China, ASEAN pledge joint efforts to combat coronavirus outbreak

VIENTIANE, Feb 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held a special foreign ministers’ meeting on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak here Thursday to discuss coordinating efforts in fighting the epidemic. The meeting was co-chaired by Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister,…

Russia: Pres Putin sacks top adviser and ex-Ukraine pointman

President Vladimir Putin MOSCOW, Feb 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday sacked Vladislav Surkov, one of his chief advisers and the architect of Russia’s Ukraine policy who was viewed among the country’s most powerful men.  The dismissal of the 55-year-old Surkin was announced on the Kremlin website but…