EU agrees deal to ban Russian gas by autumn 2027

The Orenburg gas processing plant of Gazprom in the Orenburg Region, Russia BRUSSELS, Dec (NNN-AGENCIES) — European Union lawmakers and member states reached a deal to ban all imports of Russian gas by autumn 2027, as the bloc seeks to choke off key funds feeding Moscow’s war chest. “This is the dawn…

Somalis respond to Trump’s ‘unacceptable’ outburst against them

MOGADISHU, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Somalis responded with a mix of resentment and resignation to US President Donald Trump’s tirade against them in which he said their country “stinks” and the US did not want their emigrants. Trump’s heated remarks on Tuesday followed a scandal in the state of Minnesota…

Havana and other parts of Cuba hit by blackout

HAVANA, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A blackout left millions of people in western Cuba, including Havana, without electricity on Wednesday, authorities said. The national electric company said in a statement the power went out in the early hours of Wednesday in several provinces. In Havana, home to 1.7 million people,…

Haiti targets August 2026 for first elections in a decade

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gang-destabilized Haiti took a big step toward holding its first elections in nearly a decade after transitional authorities announced the Caribbean country would hold a vote next summer. The first round of a general election are to be held in August 2026, but restoring security…

UN decries Uganda crackdown ahead of vote

GENEVA, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations deplored an intensifying crackdown on the opposition and media in Uganda ahead of next month’s general election, urging impartial investigations into alleged arbitrary arrests, disappearances and “torture”. The UN rights office highlighted “credible reports” indicating that at least 550 people, including members…

Libya war crimes suspect makes first appearance at ICC

THE HAGUE, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Libyan prison boss accused of overseeing murder, rape, and torture at a notorious detention centre appeared at the International Criminal Court Wednesday to face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, 47, sat impassively dressed in a dark blue jacket and…

German President Steinmeier arrives in UK on landmark state visit

LONDON, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived in London on Wednesday for the start of a state visit, the first by the official German head of state in 27 years. The three-day trip, which includes a Windsor Castle state banquet and a speech to parliament, takes place as a deepening…

Haiti: Protesters take over Saint-Marc city hall demanding protection from gangs

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Dec 2 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Hundreds of protesters in Haiti’s Saint-Marc took over the local city hall on Monday, demanding protection from gang violence. Over the weekend, heavily armed gangs attacked Haiti’s central region, killing men, women and children as they set fire to homes. Political activists say that authorities…

Nigeria’s defense minister resigns, citing health reasons

ABUJA, Dec 2 (NNN-XINHUA) — Nigeria’s Defense Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar resigned on Monday with immediate effect, citing health reasons, amid a surge in terrorist attacks and kidnappings in the most populous African country. President Bola Tinubu accepted the resignation and thanked Abubakar for his service, according to a presidential…

White House says DR Congo, Rwanda to sign deal Thursday

WASHINGTON, Dec 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump will bring together the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Washington on Thursday to sign a peace agreement, months after an earlier US-brokered deal failed to stop violence. “President Trump will host the presidents of the Republic…