US indicts Malian over deadly 2016 attacks in Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso

WASHINGTON, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Justice Department unveiled murder and conspiracy charges Thursday against a Malian who played a “central role” in suicide bomb attacks in Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast in 2016 that killed 49. The department said Mimi Ould Baba, 32, assisted the planning and preparation…

Lesotho: PM Thabane to resign over alleged links to wife’s murder

MASARU, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Lesotho’s Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has bowed to pressure to step down over evidence allegedly linking him to the murder of his estranged wife, according to the ruling party.The announcement on Thursday followed accusation by senior members of the All Basotho Convention (ABC) party that…

Australia: Relief as rain falls over bushfires

SYDNEY, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Rain fell across parts of bushfire-ravaged eastern Australia on Thursday and more wet weather was forecast, giving some relief following months of catastrophic blazes fuelled by climate change. The fires, unprecedented for Australia in terms of duration and intensity, have claimed 28 lives and killed…

Puerto Rico: Thousands of earthquake survivors wait for relief

WASHINGTON/SAN JUAN, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Pres Donald Trump approved a disaster declaration for Puerto Rico on Thursday over the series of earthquakes that first hit the island last month.  Trump’s approval will make federal funding available to affected individuals in the municipalities of Guánica, Guayanilla, Peñuelas, Ponce, Utuado and Yuaco,…

Philippines says danger high despite volcano ‘lull’

MANILA, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The threat of the Philippines’ Taal volcano unleashing a potentially catastrophic eruption remains high, authorities warned, saying it was showing dangerous signs despite a “lull” in spewing ash. Scores of earthquakes rattle the region daily and large fissures are opening up in the ground, which…

Syria: Intense fighting in Idlib kills 39 – monitor

BEIRUT, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Intense fighting between pro-government forces and jihadist-led fighters in Syria’s Idlib province killed at least 39 fighters overnight, a war monitor said. Government and allied forces took two villages in their advance towardsthe key town of Maaret al-Numan, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.…

Mali: Inter-ethnic attack kills 15 in Fulani village

BAMAKO, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Fifteen people were killed in an attack on a Fulani village in central Mali, security and local officials said, in a fresh bout of apparent ethnic violence in the war-torn country. Armed men attacked Sinda village between Wednesday night and the early hours of Thursday…

As arrivals rise, Cyprus intercepts boat with 101 Syrians on board

Syrian refugees arrive on a Cyprus coast guard boat to the south-east of the island in the region of Protaras NICOSIA, Jan 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Cyprus intercepted a vessel carrying 101 Syrians off its coast on Tuesday, police said, one of the largest arrivals of refugees from the neighbouring country…

Guinea protesters ‘burn down police stations’

Police have been accused of killing 20 people since the protests started BISSAU, Jan 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Protesters in Guinea burned down two police stations in the central region on Tuesday, quoting witnesses and government sources.The West African country is engulfed in unrest over suspicions that President Alpha Condé wants…

Anger in Scotland after British PM rules out new independence vote

 Nicola Sturgeon had written to Boris Johnson to request powers to legally stage a second referendum LONDON, Jan 15 (NNN-Xinhua) — Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon hit back at British Prime Minister Boris Johnson after he rejected paving the way for a new independence referendum for Scotland. Prime Minister Johnson…