US: San Francisco declares downtown emergency over drug deaths

Tenderloin, a downtown San Francisco district, is in a state of emergency over a severe spike in fatal drug overdoses driven mainly by fentanyl SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — San Francisco’s mayor on Friday declared a state of emergency in a downtown district reeling from a severe spike in…

Covid-19: US appeals court reinstates vaccine-or-test rule for workplaces

A general view of the skyline of Manhattan as seen from the One World Trade Center Tower in New York City WILMINGTON (Cincinnati, US), Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A US appeals court reinstated a nationwide vaccine-or-testing COVID-19 mandate for large businesses, a federal government rule that covers 80 million American workers. The…

7th round of Iran nuclear talks concludes in Vienna

A meeting of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Joint Commission in Vienna, Austria VIENNA, Dec 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — The seventh round of the Iran nuclear talks concluded here on Friday. The latest round, started on Nov 29, brought together the representatives of China, France, Germany, Russia, the United…

Covid-19: South Africa sees fewer hospitalisations as Omicron cases surge

Authorities in South Africa say, few people have died from the new Omicron variant PRETORIA, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — COVID-19 infection rates are soaring across South Africa as a result of the highly mutated Omicron variant of the coronavirus, but fewer people have died or required hospital treatment compared with previous…

UN rights council orders international probe into Ethiopia abuses

The 47-member council voted with 21 in favor, 15 opposed GENEVA, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN Human Rights Council has voted to launch an international investigation into abuses in Ethiopia, despite protests from Addis Ababa, amid warnings of looming generalized violence.The 47-member council voted with 21 in favor, 15…

Hundreds protests in Tunisia on anniversary of revolution

 TUNIS, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hundreds rallied for and against Tunisian President Kais Saied in central Tunis on Friday, on the eleventh anniversary of the start of a revolution that sparked the Arab Spring uprisings.   Saied in July this year sacked the government, froze parliament and seized far-reaching powers.…

US says will discuss Russia proposals but warns on Ukraine

 WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States is willing to discuss security proposals put forward by Russia but disagrees with parts of them and will impose “massive consequences” over any “aggression” on Ukraine, a senior official said.   “We are prepared to discuss them. That said, there are some…

World Bank announces US$93bn to boost recovery in world’s poorest countries

  WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Bank (WB) has announced a US$93 billion replenishment package of the International Development Association (IDA) to help low-income countries respond to the COVID-19 crisis and build a greener, more resilient, and inclusive future.   The financing brings together $23.5 billion of contributions…

4 children die after intense fire rips through London home

Firefighters work at the scene in Sutton, south London, where four children have died following a fire at a house LONDON, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Four children have died after a fire ripped through a home in south London, authorities said. About 60 firefighters descended on the home in a…

Malagasy prosecutor seeks life imprisonment for five accused of coup attempt

President Andry Rajoelina ANTANANARIVO, Dec 17 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — The Malagasy public prosecutors called for life imprisonment for five of the 20 people accused of plotting a coup against President Andry Rajoelina, including two Frenchmen, while the defence insisted their clients were innocent. A stern look under his glasses draped in…