US prepares to sign withdrawal deal with Taliban on Feb 29

WASHINGTON/KABUL, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US and the Taliban are set to sign a historic agreement that would pave the way to ending America’s longest war, hours after Kabul said a week-long partial truce across Afghanistan would kick off this weekend. Both US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and…

UK begins repatriating citizens from virus-stricken Japan cruise ship

LONDON, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The British government said ithad begun repatriating its citizens from a cruise ship quarantined off Tokyofor more than two weeks by Japanese authorities over the coronavirusoutbreak. “We can confirm the evacuation flight from Japan has now departed with 32 British and European passengers on board,…

Number of US troops wounded in Iran attack now at 110: Pentagon

WASHINGTON, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The number of US troops who sustained traumatic brain injury when Iran launched missiles at their base in Iraq last month has risen to 110, the Pentagon said. The figure is one higher than the last toll, which was announced onFeb 10. All of the…

UK to start issuing post-Brexit blue passports

LONDON, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain will issue blue passports nextmonth for the first time in almost three decades following its departure from the European Union, the government said. The new blue cover passports will be issued and delivered early nextmonth, said the interior ministry, replacing the burgundy passports that…

Niger military operation kills 120 terrorists: official

NIAMEY, Feb 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A joint operation by Nigerien and French troops in southwest Niger killed 120 terrorists and seized bomb-making equipment and vehicles, the country’s defence ministry said. As of Feb 20 120 terrorists have been neutralised in the operationin the vast Tillaberi region near the border with…

Vigils held in Germany for victims of ‘racist’ gunman

A mourner reacts during a vigil for the victims of a shooting in Hanau, near Frankfurt, Germany. BERLIN, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of people took part in vigils across Germany after a gunman with apparent far-right beliefs killed nine people at a shisha bar and a cafe in the…

South Africa: 20 pupils injured after ceiling collapse; 17 schoolgirls hospitalised after eating marijuana-laced cakes

PRETORIA, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A ceiling has collapsed on pupils at Kgomba Primary School in Hammanskraal, the Gauteng Department of Basic Education said.According to spokesperson Steve Mabona, the ceiling collapsed on Thursday while the pupils were in class, adding paramedics had rushed to the school shortly after the incident.Education…

900,000 pangolins trafficked worldwide: watchdog

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nearly 900,000 pangolins arebelieved to have been trafficked worldwide in the past two decades, awildlife watchdog said, highlighting the challenge in tackling theillicit trade. As the world’s most heavily trafficked mammal, the creatures are targetedfor their body parts which are highly valued in traditional…

Libya’s warring rivals resume talks in Geneva – UN

The UN-recognised government pulled out of peace talks after a barrage of rockets GENEVA, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Libya’s warring sides resumed talks in Geneva aimed at brokering a lasting ceasefire in the war-torn country.“The talks are under way again,” said Jean El Alam, spokesman for the United Nations Support…

EU leaders condemn Syrian government attacks in Idlib

BRUSSELS, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The EU’s 27 leaders on Friday condemned Syrian government attacks on the city of Idlib, the country’s last rebel enclave, warning of humanitarian disaster. “The renewed military offensive in Idlib by the Syrian government and itsbackers, causing enormous human suffering, is unacceptable,” said the EUcouncil,…