Nigeria starts to count votes as final ballots cast after delays; first result expected on Tuesday

ABUJA, Feb 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A handful of polling stations remained open to allow more Nigerians to vote on Sunday in what is expected to be a tight presidential race between President Muhammadu Buhari and businessman Atiku Abubakar in Africa’s top oil producer. Buhari, 76, is seeking a second elected…

Angola: Rain kills four in Luanda, roads and bridges collapsed

Bridge connecting Bairro Popular/ Palanca neighbourhoods in Luanda collapsed LUANDA, Feb 25 (NNN-ANGOP) — Four people died following heavy rainfalls that hit the country’s capital, Luanda, since Thursday, according to a provisional report. One bridge collapsed as the result of the flood that also destroyed hundreds of houses. Two of…

US To Delay Further Tariffs On Chinese Goods – Pres Trump

President Trump met China’s Vice Premier Liu He on Friday  WASHINGTON, Feb 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Donald Trump has announced that the US will delay imposing further trade tariffs on Chinese goods. The rise in import duties on Chinese goods from 10% to 25% was meant to come into effect on Friday…

South Africa: Pres Cyril Ramaphosa Names Special Tribunal To Recover Corruption Proceeds

PRETORIA, Feb 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A special tribunal is to be set up in South Africa with powers to fast-track prosecutions and recover the proceeds of corruption. President Cyril Ramaphosa said the tribunal would consider cases brought by the Special Investigating Unit. After 25 years in power, the African National Congress…

Thousands mourn 7 Syrian siblings killed in Canada fire

MONTREAL, Feb 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Around 2,000 mourners attended the funeral of seven children from a Syrian refugee family who diedearlier last week in a house fire in Halifax, eastern Canada. Ahmad Barho and siblings Rola, Mohammed, Ola, Hala, Rana and Abdullah — whose ages ranged from four months to…

US ‘will take action’ in support of Venezuela democracy: Sec of State Pompeo

WASHINGTON, Feb 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) – US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States “will take action” as he condemned violenceperpetrated by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s “thugs” after security forces fired on demonstrators. “The U.S. will take action against those who oppose the peacefulrestoration of democracy in #Venezuela. Now…

Saudi Arabia names first woman envoy to Washington at critical time

RIYADH, Feb 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Saudi Arabia named a princessas its first woman ambassador to the United States, a key appointment as the fallout over journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder tests relations between the allies. Princess Rima bint Bandar replaced Prince Khalid bin Salman, the youngerbrother of the powerful crown prince…

Three UN peacekeepers killed by suspected bandits in Mali

BAMAKO, Feb 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Three UN peacekeepers in Mali have been killed by suspected bandits while travelling on leave along the road from the capital Bamako to neighbouring Guinea, sources said. Friday’s attack was a robbery, a Malian security source said, addingthat the three victims were from Guinea, which…

Senegal votes with incumbent Sall confident of first-round win

DAKAR, Feb 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Senegal votes Sunday in an election thatincumbent President Macky Sall looks confident to win in the first roundafter his main challengers were banned from running in the West Africancountry’s ballot. His two biggest rivals — popular former Dakar mayor Khalifa Sall and Karim Wade, the…

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un rides train on way to Vietnam for Trump summit

BEIJING, Feb 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’sarmoured train chugged across China on Sunday as he headed to his highlyanticipated second summit with US President Donald Trump in Vietnam. Emulating his late father and grandfather, who took epic train trips whenthey were leaders, Kim set off on…