Ethiopia: Critical aid arrives in conflict-ridden Northern Ethiopia as cease-fire holds

GENEVA, Dec 10 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, reports it is stepping up critical aid to thousands of refugees and internally displaced people in conflict-ridden northern Ethiopia. Aid agencies report they now have unhindered access to Ethiopia’s northern Tigray, Afar and Amhara regions. They say the Nov 2…

Argentina: Environmental emergency decreed in Tierra del Fuego due to forest fires

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 10 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Authorities in the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego have declared an environmental emergency this week and extended a ban on lighting fires in wild areas until 2024 due to the increasing number of forest fires.  The provincial Legislature passed a bill from the…

Paraguay: Ships sink in Montevideo Port dock collapse

MONTEVIDEO, Dec 10 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — A floating dock of the Tsakos shipping company in the port of Montevideo, where five ships were under repair, collapsed and two cranes fell into the water Thursday, leading to the partial sinking of three vessels, it was reported.  Port Captain, Ricardo Della Santa said…

Tanzania: Uhuru Peak connected to internet services

Uhuru Peak connected to internet services  DAR ES SALAAM, Dec 10 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — The Tanzanian government has finally installed internet services on the top of Mount Kilimanjaro as the country marked its 61st independence anniversary on Friday. The internet services on the top roof were installed for the first time…

Ukraine grain aid for Ethiopia arrives at port in Djibouti

ADDIS ABABA, Dec 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A freighter loaded with donated Ukrainian wheat has docked in Djibouti as it makes its way to Ethiopia, part of a push by Kiev to convince the world that it need to be free so it can export grain to countries that rely on…

Brazil: President-elect Lula appoints former mayor as finance minister

 BRASILIA, Dec 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazil’s president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday named former Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad, viewed unfavorably by many in the business community, as his finance minister. Lula da Silva, who narrowly defeated incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in October elections, unveiled ministers in the key…

George Floyd: Ex-officer J Alexander Kueng sentenced for manslaughter

J Alexander Kueng was one of four police officer involved in the May 2020 arrest of George Floyd MINNEAPOLIS (Minnesota, US), Dec 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A former Minneapolis police officer who knelt on George Floyd’s back has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for his role in Floyd’s death.…

Qatar World Cup corruption: European Parliament vice-president Kaili arrested

BRUSSELS, Dec 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Belgian police arrested Greek socialist MEP Eva Kaili, one of the vice-presidents of the European Parliament, in Brussels on Friday evening, in connection with an investigation into corruption implicating World Cup hosts Qatar. The arrest follows the detention of four other suspects earlier Friday, said…

Genocide threat still real, UN chief says

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 10 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — In response to rising hate speech and discrimination worldwide, UN Secretary-General (UNSG) António Guterres has urged countries to take concrete steps to protect minorities and other communities at risk of genocide.     Guterres made the appeal in his message to mark the International Day…

The United States applies sanctions to El Salvador officials

SAN SALVADOR, Dec 10 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — The United States applied sanctions against two high-ranking officials of the government of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele for alleged acts of corruption in the performance of their duties.     Those affected are the Minister of Labor, Rolando Castro, and the Legal Secretary, Conan Castro…