Rights groups hail jailing of Liberia ex-rebel commander Kamara

A fighter runs from an explosion in Monrovia in 1996 during the Liberian civil war PARIS, Nov 6 (NNN-GNA) — Human rights groups have hailed the conviction of a notorious former Liberian rebel commander Kunti Kamara as a milestone, noting that it raises hope for justice for victims of the…

Ghana: Don’t judge government by post-COVID-19 performance only — VP Bawumia

ACCRA, Nov 6 (NNN-GNA) — Ghana Vice President, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, says it is wrong to measure government’s performance only by the current post-COVID-19 economic difficulties.He said the country’s economy outlook before the onset of the pandemic was positive; thus the reason the government continued to attribute the current crisis…

South Africa: Government fight against corruption bearing fruit – presidential spokesman

CAPE TOWN, Nov 6 (NNN-SANEWS) — Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says efforts taken by the current administration to root out corruption and fight state capture are bearing fruit. Magwenya was addressing the media and public in Cape Town on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s public engagement programme for the week and on…

Ethnic tensions: Serbs in northern Kosovo to resign over licence plate row

PRISTINA, Nov 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Serb minority in northern Kosovo will resign from roles in public institutions in protest over a row on vehicle number plates, a political leader said. The development drew immediate alarm from the European Union, which has been mediating talks between Kosovo and Serbia with…

Russia detains suspect after bar inferno kills 15

MOSCOW, Nov 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russian police on Saturday detained a man suspected to have caused a huge fire overnight at a bar in the historic city of Kostroma that killed at least 15 people. Fire fighters fought through the early hours to extinguish the blaze at the popular Poligon…

World Bank approves South Africa’s $497m request for Komati power plant’s decommission, repurposing

WASHINGTON/PRETORIA, Nov 6 (NNN-SANEWS) — The World Bank has approved South Africa’s request for a $497 million project to decommission and repurpose the Komati coal-fired power plant using renewables and batteries. In a statement, the World Bank said the project would also create opportunities for the affected workers and communities.…

Canada heatwave: Record-breaking November heat in Montreal

MONTREAL, Nov 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Temperatures in Montreal reached an all-time high for November on Saturday, as residents accustomed to bundling up for intense Canadian winters were hit with a wave of unseasonable warmth. Montreal, the largest city in Quebec province, saw temperatures exceed 23 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit),…

Italy may let in vulnerable migrants off rescue ship but spurn others

ROME, Nov 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Children and sick or vulnerable people are expected to be allowed off a German-flagged rescue vessel by Italy but other migrants on board may be sent back into international waters despite worsening weather conditions. The Humanity 1, run by German charity SOS Humanity and carrying…

US hospital flu cases hit 10-year high as vaccinations fall

 WASHINGTON, Nov 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US influenza hospital admissions have hit the highest rate in a decade as vaccinations sag, US officials say. They said adults have received five million fewer influenza jabs this year compared with the same time last year. Health experts are worried a so-called tripledemic of…

French racism: MP de Fournas suspended for shouting ‘back to Africa’

As well as being suspended, Grégoire de Fournas will lose half his parliamentary allowance for two months  PARIS, Nov 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A far-right MP has been given a 15-day ban from France’s National Assembly for shouting “they should go back to Africa” as a black colleague talked about immigration.…