Colombian guerrilla reported killed in Venezuela; no official word

BOGOTA, Dec 8 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — A former Colombian Armed Revolutionary Forces (FARC) combatant who took part in the 2016 peace negotiations with the Government of then-President Juan Manuel Santos has been killed in Venezuela, it was reported. After the truce, Hernan Dario Velasquez (a.k.a. El Paisa) announced he would be…

US hits Uganda’s Chief of Military Intelligence with sanctions

KAMPALA, Dec 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) has expressed disappointment following financial sanctions imposed against Maj General Abel Kandiho by the United States (US) government. Maj Gen Kandiho who is the Chief of Military Intelligence in UPDF was slapped with sanctions over alleged human rights abuses…

Ancient Peruvian mummy goes on show at Lima museum

The mummified remains were bound by ropes and had the hands covering the face LIMA, Dec 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A pre-Incan mummy found in Peru and thought to be between 800 and 1,200 years old, went on display at the San Marcos University in Lima after archaeologists reported finding the…

Zimbabwe to ban unvaccinated from public transport as omicron wrecks havoc

HARARE, Dec 8 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Zimbabwean government on Tuesday expressed deep concern at the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the country driven by the omicron variant and plans to bar the unvaccinated from boarding public transport. “Cabinet notes with concern that there has been a sharp increase in…

Tunisian president meets visiting Palestinian counterpart

Tunisian president Kais Saied (R) meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Tunis TUNIS, Dec 8 (NNN-Xinhua) — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Tunisia Tuesday on an official visit at the invitation of his Tunisian counterpart Kais Saied, the Tunisian presidency announced in a statement. Abbas was greeted at…

Lithuania extends state of emergency at Belarus border

Razor wire is seen in front of a Belarusian border marking pole in Druskininkai, Lithuania VILNIUS, Dec 8 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Lithuanian Parliament voted on Tuesday to extend the state of emergency at its border with Belarus for another month. The extension, until Jan 15, 2022, was supported by 102…

Covid-19: Colombia to require travelers to present negative PCR test or vaccination certificate

BOGOTA, Dec 8 (NNN-Xinhua) — Travelers wishing to enter Colombia must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or a vaccination certificate starting on Dec. 14, Health Minister Fernando Ruiz announced on Tuesday. The PCR test must be performed 72 hours in advance, while the last COVID-19 vaccine dose must have…

Idriss Deby’s son succeeds him as Chad’s only five-star army general

Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno N’DJAMENA, Dec 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Former Chadian leader Idriss Deby Itno was the only five-star general the country had till his death in April 2021.He died on the frontlines when he joined a campaign to halt the advance of rebels who were threatening to depose him.Eight…

COvid-19: UN chief Guterres isolating after exposure

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was exposed to the coronavirus Tuesday by a UN official who already had COVID-19 and is isolating for the next few days, diplomatic sources said. Guterres, 72, has canceled his upcoming in-person engagements. The UN chief was due to…

Covid-19: Pres Bolsonaro dismisses vaccination requirement for entry into Brazil

BRASILIA, Dec 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Jair Bolsonaro criticised Brazil’s health regulator Anvisa for proposing a vaccination requirement for travelers arriving in the country to help prevent the spread of new coronavirus variants. “Anvisa wants to close the country’s airspace now. Not again, damn it,” Bolsonaro said at a business…