Two people die in French ski resort fire
PARIS, Jan 20: A large fire has broken out at the French ski resort of Courchevel, killing two people and injuring 22, four seriously, local officials say. The fire started before dawn on Sunday, in a building housing seasonal workers. In all, three buildings were affected. Seventy firefighters battled to bring the blaze under control. The cause has not yet been confirmed. — BBC
Main candidates shun polls debate in Nigeria
LAGOS, Jan 20: Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari and his main challenger on Sunday faced accusations of arrogance, disrespect and elitism, after they failed to turn up for a debate between election hopefuls. Buhari, of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and Atiku Abubakar, from the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were supposed to have been among five candidates at the set-piece discussion on Saturday night. — AFP
New president takes oath in Madagascar
ANTANANARIVO, Jan 20: The government led by incumbent Prime Minister Christian Ntsay was dismissed after Andry Rajoelina was sworn in as Madagascan president earlier on Saturday, announced Ralala Roger, general secretary of the Madagascan Presidency. "Following today's inauguration ceremony and in consideration of necessity, the government has resigned," he said. According to the political convention in Madagascar, the prime minister should resign after the inauguration of a new president to facilitate the nomination of his successor to form a new government. — Xinhua
Sudan police tear gas protesters
KHARTOUM, Jan 20: Sudanese police fired tear gas on Sunday at protesters ahead of a planned march on parliament in Omdurman, the twin city of Khartoum, witnesses said. Demonstrators chanting "freedom, peace and justice" began gathering in some areas of Omdurman but were quickly confronted by riot police with tear gas, the witnesses said, as protest organisers called for new anti-government rallies. — AFP
Netanyahu heads to Chad to restore relations
JERUSALEM, Jan 20: Israel's prime minister has departed for the central African nation of Chad to officially restore relations. Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday hailed what he called a "historic and important breakthrough" with the Muslim-majority country that borders Libya and Sudan. Chad's President Idriss Deby visited Jerusalem in November. Netanyahu has made great efforts to extend Israeli diplomacy to Africa and has visited the continent several times in recent years. — AP
Seven lose lives in Uganda road accident
KAMPALA, Jan 20: At least seven people were killed and 10 others critically injured in a Saturday road accident in the eastern Ugandan district of Soroti, a police spokesperson said. Charles Ssebambulidde, the directorate of traffic and road safety spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone that the fatal accident occurred after a truck carrying mainly cattle traders overturned at Opuyo, about four kilometres to Soroti town. — Xinhua
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