At least 8 killed in pipeline explosion in south-eastern Nigeria

ABUJA, June 24 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — At least eight people died in an oil pipeline explosion in south-eastern Nigeria, police reported, which does not rule out a heavier toll.According to initial investigations, the pipeline “belongs to the Pipeline Product Marketing Company (PPMC) and was undergoing maintenance when the explosion occurred on…

Thousands of Malians demonstrate to demand end to massacres

BAMAKO, June 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Mali’s capital to demand an end to attacks in the centre of the country where there has been an increase in ethnic violence.Police said 3,000 attended the rally in Bamako, while organisers put the number of…

Boko Haram kill 7 Chadian soldiers, local guard in ambush

N’DJAMENA, June 24 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Seven Chadian soldiers and a local guard were killed in a Boko Haram ambush in Lake Chad, the latest in a surge of attacks in the region, security sources said.Boko Haram militants have been waging a decade-long insurgency in northwest Nigeria, but the conflict has…

Italy: Mild earthquake hits near Rome

ROME, June 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A 3.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Rome on Sunday evening, the Italian geophysics institute said, with local media reporting it caused no damage. The epicentre of the quake was near Colonna, a small city around 30 kilometres east of Rome. There was no noticeable damage or injuries from…

Italy holds Netherlands, EU ‘responsible’ for migrant boat

ROME, June 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy’s hardline interior minister Matteo Salvini said he would hold the Netherlands and the European Union “responsible” for the fate of 42 migrants that Rome has blocked from disembarking at Italian ports for over a week. The Dutch-flagged rescue boat Sea-Watch 3 has been stuck…

Update: Mauritania ruling party’s Ghazouani declared presidential vote winner

NOUAKCHOTT, June 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mauritania’s ruling party candidate Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has won the presidential election with 52 per cent of the vote, the electoral commission announced. Ghazouani obtained 52.01 per cent of votes cast in Saturday’s presidential poll, easily beating main opposition opponents Biram Ould Dah Ould Abeid (18.58…

Two more Mexican border cities added to US-Mexico asylum programme

MEXICO CITY, June 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US-bound asylum seekers will be sent back to at least two additional Mexican border cities later this week to wait for their claims to be processed, officials said, with one of the cities in a region that is among Mexico’s most chaotic and violent.…

Mercury climbs as Europe braces for summer scorcher

PARIS, June 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Temperatures were climbing as Europe braced for a blistering heatwave with the mercury set to hit 40 degrees Celsius as summer kicks in on the back of a wave of hot air from North Africa. Europeans are set to bake in what forecasters are warning…

Honduras protests: Military deployed after violence

TEGUCIGALPA, June 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Honduras has deployed the military across the country after violent anti-government protests left two dead. Shops were looted and government buildings attacked in the capital, Tegucigalpa. Some roads were blocked with barricades and burning tyres. Protests against President Juan Orlando Hernández have been building in…

Mauritania set for first democratic transition of power

NOUAKCHOTT, June 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mauritania has been voting in what may result in the first democratic transition of power since the West African country achieved independence in 1960. President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz seized power in a coup in 2008, but has agreed to step down and abide by…