Nations fail to reach pandemic accord: talks to resume April

GENEVA, March 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two years of talks aimed at striking a landmark global agreement on handling future pandemics failed to seal a deal in time on Thursday, and will restart next month for one final push.    Scarred by Covid-19, which shredded economies, overturned societies, crippled health systems and…

Haiti situation ‘cataclysmic’ as gang violence deaths surge: UN

GENEVA, March 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The situation in chaos-wracked Haiti is “cataclysmic”, with more than 1,500 people killed by gang violence so far this year and more weapons pouring into the country, the UN said. In a fresh report, the United Nations rights office detailed how “corruption, impunity and poor governance,…

Venezuela’s huge diaspora struggles to register to vote

BUENOS AIRES, March 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Millions of Venezuelans who fled economic misery in their country could find themselves unable to vote in key July presidential elections, as complaints mount over hurdles at consulates abroad for those seeking to register. “We want to vote, we want to vote!” chanted a…

South Africa bus crash kills 45 Easter pilgrims

LIMPOPO (South Africa), March 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A bus crash in South Africa’s northern province of Limpopo resulted in 45 deaths and one serious injury, South Africa’s Department of Transport said The driver lost control and collided with barriers on a bridge near Mamatlakala, causing the bus to go over…

Moscow concert attack: Relatives of missing desperately seek answers

MOSCOW, March 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Dozens of people are still missing following the attack on the Crocus City Hall music venue in Moscow, raising fears that the death toll could rise higher than the current 143. Some relatives of the missing have been attempting to track down their loved ones…

Russian military jet crashes into sea off Crimea: governor

MOSCOW, March 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Russian military plane crashed into the sea off the coast of the annexed Crimean peninsula on Thursday, the Moscow-installed governor of the city of Sevastopol said. “A military plane has fallen into the sea,” Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said in a post on Telegram, adding…

Cyclone Gamane kills 11 in Madagascar

ANTANANARIVO, March 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A slow-moving cyclone that unexpectedly turned toward Madagascar has killed 11 people on the island nation as high winds ripped down trees and torrents of water rushed through villages, washing away houses, officials said. Cyclone Gamane was projected to skim the island that sits in…

South Sudan: Boma County commissioner among 15 killed in ambush after visiting village

JUBA, March 28 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Unidentified assailants have taken the lives of 15 individuals including the Boma County commissioner in an ambush in South Sudan’s Pibor region, said a senior official on Wednesday. This incident marks an escalation of violence within the country. South Sudan, battling with internal conflicts, has…

South Sudan: Schools to reopen after two weeks of extreme heat

JUBA, March 28 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — South Sudan’s government said schools will reopen next week following a two-week closure due to extreme heat across the country. The health and education ministries said temperatures were expected to steadily drop with the rainy season set to begin in the coming days. South Sudan…

Malta has a new female President

Myriam Spiteri Debono VALLETTA, March 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Malta Parliament has approved the appointment of Myriam Spiteri Debono as the country’s new President with the consensus of all parliamentarians.  Accordingly, Debono, 71, will replace President George Vella, whose 5-year term will end on April 4. This female politician will become…