London Central Mosque stabbing: Man is arrested

LONDON, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a stabbing inside a central London mosque.The victim, who is in his 70s, was found injured after emergency services were called to the London Central Mosque in Park Road, near Regent’s Park, at 15:10…

Missile attacks fuel UN’s fear for migrants fleeing Libya

TRIPOLI, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has called on the European Union to better ensure the safety of migrants fleeing Libya.The appeal came after the port in the Libyan capital was attacked by missiles from forces loyal to Gen Khalifa Haftar, which have been…

Two dead as Sydney to Melbourne passenger train derails

The train was transporting 160 passengers when it crashed SYDNEY, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two people were killed when a Sydney to Melbourne express train derailed near the Victorian town of Wallan, officials say. Several other passengers were being treated for injuries, emergency services said. One person was airlifted to…

Lesotho: PM Thomas Thabane to be charged with murdering his wife

Thomas Thabane (centre) at his inauguration in 2017 with Maesaiah Thabane MASERU, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Lesotho’s Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, 80, is to be charged with the murder of his estranged wife Lipolelo Thabane, police have said. Thabane announced he would be stepping down in July because of old…

Over 3 million people in Niger need urgent aid, says UNICEF

NIAMEY, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) –Nearly three million people, more than half of them children, in Niger are in need of humanitarian assistance in the West African country, UNICEF said. The United Nations Children’s Fund also called for increased attention to the plight of children and their families. “In a context…

Ireland: Lower house of parliament fails to elect new PM for country

Parties in the 160-seat chamber convened and nominated candidates to lead a new government but with none commanding a majority, it was adjourned until March 5  DUBLIN, Feb 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — The newly formed lower house of the Irish parliament failed to elect a new prime minister for the country…

US: Pres Trump formally names Richard Grenell as acting intelligence chief

WASHINGTON, Feb 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — US President Donald Trump formally designated Richard Grenell, US ambassador to Germany, as acting director of national intelligence, according to a White House statement. “[Grenell] is committed to a non-political, non-partisan approach as head of the Intelligence Community, on which our safety and security depend,”…

South Sudan president to reappoint rebel leader Machar in unity government

President Kiir (right) and Machar JUBA, Feb 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — South Sudan President Salva Kiir said he will reappoint opposition leader Riek Machar on Friday as First Vice President. Machar, leader of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), will assume his position of First Vice President as stipulated in the…

Staff in 74 UK universities start 2-week strike over pensions

LONDON, Feb 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — Up to 50,000 staff members in 74 universities across Britain started a 14-day strike on Thursday over disputes on pension, pay and working conditions. Members of the University and College Union (UCU), including lecturers, technicians, librarians and other academic and support staff, are joining the…

Russia-backed Syrian troops repel attacks of Turkey-supported militants: Russian military

MOSCOW, Feb 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — Syrian government troops covered by Russian warplanes on Thursday repelled several massive attacks of militants supported by Turkey in Syria’s Idlib, according to the Russian military. Militants supported by artillery fire of the Turkish Armed Forces managed to break through the defense of the Syrian…