Nigeria’s Supreme Court has ruled that old banknotes remain legal tender until the end of the year, bringing relief to millions affected by a chaotic redesign of the naira notes. The justices said that not enough notice was given to the public before the old notes were withdrawn. Not enough of the new notes were released, leading to widespread anger and frustration. Many people were unable to get cash to pay for food and slept outside banks. The policy was announced last October and the new notes were released in mid-December. People were initially given until the end of January to hand in all their old notes, although this had previously been extended amid the chaotic scenes. Reading out the ruling, Justice Emmanuel Agim said the correct process had not been followed. “The directive given by President is invalid. Such directive is not just handed down after personal conversation with the governor of CBN [Central Bank of Nigeria],” he said. The court also berated President Muhammadu Buhari for not obeying a previous provisional order to halt the policy until it decided the case. It said there was nothing to show that President Buhari’s directive for the release of old 200 naira notes until 10 April was implemented.(BBC)…[+]

A teenager has been bitten by a crocodile in a remote community hit by floods in Australia’s Northern Territory (NT). Authorities said the 17-year-old boy sustained a “minor laceration to his leg” and was treated at a local clinic. Local government minister Chansey Paech told ABC News people should remain “croc wise”, with crocodiles displaced from flooded rivers after heavy rain. The Australian Defence Force is in the region helping to evacuate people. Mr Paech said some 700 people, including 35 with medical needs, had been flown out of Kalkarindji, about 770km (478 miles) south of Darwin, after the Victoria River burst its banks. “Defence Australia has given us three big planes – two C130s and one C27 – and they’re working to fly evacuees to Katherine,” he tweeted, referring to a town in the NT. A spokeswoman for Mr Paech said major floods brought added risks from crocodiles. “When the river bursts its banks, they’re everywhere”, she told the BBC.(BBC)…[+]

A police officer has died and 79 others taken hostage during protests in Colombia’s southern Caquetá province. Violence erupted on Thursday after residents blockaded the compound of the oil exploration company Emerald Energy. They were demanding its help to repair and build new roads in the area. A civilian was also killed and nine oilfield workers captured alongside the police officers. Video showed the hostages sitting in a crowded room on rows of chairs and on the floor. Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he hoped they would be “unilaterally” released before any escalation of violence, and asked for medical help from the Red Cross. Many of the protesters are rural and indigenous people who want Emerald Energy to build new road infrastructure around the San Vicente del Caguan area. The oil company did not respond when approached by Reuters news agency for comment. Colombian police paid tribute on Twitter to the police officer killed in the clash, who they named as Ricardo Monroy.(BBC)…[+]