UK: Northern Ireland minister sacked as PM Boris Johnson reshuffles cabinet after Brexit

Julian Smith said serving the people of Northern Ireland “has been the biggest privilege” LONDON, Feb 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson began a post-Brexit shake-up of his top team Thursday by sacking his Northern Ireland minister, despite his role in restoring devolved government to Belfast.Julian Smith was…

Over 200 isolated in Uganda over Covid-19 fears

An official screens travellers arriving at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda KAMPALA, Feb 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Uganda has this week ordered more than 120 travellers from China to be isolated for two weeks over coronavirus fears.A week ago, it ordered another 100 isolated, bringing the total to 220. The travellers…

Senegal’s president defends criminalisation of homosexuality

Pres Macky Sall DAKAR, Feb 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Macky Sall defended the country’s criminalisation of homosexuality, telling visiting Canadian prime minister that ‘we’re comfortable with our laws’. The exchange between Justin Trudeau and Sall highlighted the impasse the United States, Canada and other Western nations have had in persuading…

Libyan east-based army denies blocking UN planes

Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar TRIPOLI, Feb 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The east-based Libyan National Army (LNA) denied blocking United Nations planes from landing in the country:It follows claims that forces loyal to eastern commander, Khalifa Haftar were hampering the UN’s aid and peace efforts.“You (Salame) can use Misrata Airport, it is…

Algeria military court affirms jail term for Bouteflika’s brother, others

Said Bouteflika ALGIERS, Feb 14 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — An Algerian military court upheld the 15-year prison sentence given to the brother of ousted president Abdelaziz Bouteflika.The ruling followed an appeal hearing against the jail term the previous day. 62 year old Said Bouteflika, was seen as the real power behind the…

Thousands flee Cameroon after upsurge in conflict: UN

YAOUNDE, Feb 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN refugee agency says about 8,000 people have fled from Cameroon into Nigeria in the past two weeks because of an upsurge in violence. The UNHCR said the refugees had trekked through savannah and forests to reach Nigeria. Some arrived with gunshot wounds. Fighting…

Family of 16 burned to death in Nigeria attack

ABUJA, Feb 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Reports from Nigeria say 16 members of the same family have been burned to death during an attack in north-western Kaduna state.Witnesses said they were locked in a room before their house was set on fire.A number of other people were shot dead when dozens…

Ethiopia: MPs pass ‘controversial’ fake news, hate speech law

ADDIS ABABA, Feb 14 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) –Ethiopia’s parliament, the House of Peoples’ Representatives (HoPR), has passed a law aimed at combating fake news and curbing hate speech.The passage comes three months after the cabinet led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, approved it and forwarded it to the house. It is known…

Blast shuts oil pipeline feeding Nigeria’s Brass oil exports: officials

ABUJA, Feb 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An oil pipeline explosion in Nigeria forced the local subsidiary of Italian oil major Eni to close a pipeline feeding the Brass oil export terminal, ENI and a security official said. The explosion on Monday was caused by vandalism, Christina Abiakam-Omanu, head of the Nigerian…

Sudan agrees to compensate families of USS Cole victims: state news agency

The Oct 12, 2000 attack in the Yemeni port of Aden killed 17 United States sailors and wounded dozens of others KHARTOUM, Feb 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sudan‘s transitional government has agreed to compensate the families of 17 United States Navy sailors killed in an al-Qaeda attack on the USS Cole warship in…