US bans telecom giant China Unicom over spying concerns

WASHINGTON, Jan 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — China Unicom has become the latest Chinese telecoms giant to be banned from the US over “significant” national security and espionage concerns. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said it had voted unanimously to revoke authorisation for the company’s American unit to operate in the US.…

Nearly 80 dead from Tropical Storm Ana in southern Africa

ANTANANARIVO, Jan 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The death toll from a storm that struck three southern African countries rose to 77 as emergency teams battled to repair damaged infrastructure and help tens of thousands of victims.    Bringing torrential rains, Tropical Storm Ana made landfall Monday in Madagascar before ploughing into…

7 illegal Indian nationals in US released from Border Patrol custody

NEW YORK, Jan 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Seven Indian nationals, who entered the US illegally and were arrested near the US/Canada border last week, have been released from Border Patrol’s custody and processed for removal from the country.  “All seven migrants who illegally entered the United States last week were administratively…

Ethiopia-Tigray crisis: Nearly 40 percent of Tigrayans face ‘extreme lack of food’ – UN

The World Food Programme says 83 percent of the population in Tigray are food-insecure ADDIS ABABA, Jan 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nearly 40 percent of people in Ethiopia’s Tigray are suffering “an extreme lack of food” in the face of an extended de-facto blockade of the war-hit region, a UN agency…

Rwanda to reopen Uganda land border after three-year closure

KIGALI, Jan 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Rwanda said it will reopen its land border with Uganda next week after a three-year closure, a major breakthrough in efforts to repair ties between the neighbours.    The move followed a visit to Kigali by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s powerful son Muhoozi Kainerugaba last…

After days of deadlock, Italy speeds up presidential vote

  ROME, Jan 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italian political leaders agreed Friday to speed up voting for the post of president after days of deadlock that has paralysed Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s government.    Four rounds of voting in parliament since Monday have failed to produce anything close to a winner,…

Ukraine leader urges West not to stir ‘panic’ over Russia tensions

   KYIV, Jan 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the West to avoid creating “panic” in the face of the Russian troop buildup on Ukraine’s border. “We don’t need this panic,” Zelensky told a news conference with foreign media.    He pointed to the need to “stabilise” Ukraine’s…

Covid-19: German cases hit record as parliament debates vaccine mandate

BERLIN, Jan 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Germany on Wednesday reported a new record of 164,000 COVID-19 infections in one day as the lower house of parliament prepared to debate proposals to either require or robustly encourage residents to be vaccinated. Around 75 per cent of the population has received at least one…

Angola to gradually eliminate import duties for Afcfta countries

 LUANDA, Jan 26 (NNN-XINHUA) — Angola will gradually eliminate import duties for products originating from member states of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), according to a communique released on Tuesday. The measure is based on the Memorandum on the Proposed Tariff Offer of Angola under the framework of…

Update: Backlash in Greece over snow storm ‘fiasco’

   ATHENS, Jan 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Outrage against the government and transport operators grew in Greece on Wednesday after a major snow storm stranded thousands of motorists on the country’s most modern motorway, whichremained blocked for a third day.    As Greek dailies headlined with a “fiasco” and the chief…