US removes Nigeria from religious violators list

Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari WASHINGTON, Nov 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States has removed Nigeria from its list of religious violators, even as it blacklisted Russia, China and eight other countries “as Countries of Particular Concern for having engaged in or tolerated ‘systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”US…

Canada: Deadly once-in-a-century storm cuts transport links around Vancouver

  VANCOUVER (Canada), Nov 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A deadly storm described by officials as a once-in-a-century weather event has severed road and rail links around Vancouver, Canada. Two motorways connecting the West Coast city were closed after being damaged by severe flooding. A woman was killed in a highway landslide,…

Update: Armenian troops killed in Azerbaijan border clash

The fighting broke out on Armenia’s eastern border with Azerbaijan YEREVAN/BAKU, Nov 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A number of Armenian soldiers have been killed and captured in a flare-up of violence on the border with Azerbaijan, Armenian officials say. Armenia said some of its troops had been killed and two combat positions…

Ten bodies found in migrant boat off Libya: charity

ROME, Nov 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ten people were found dead in an overcrowded ship carrying migrants off the coast of Libya, and were believed to have suffocated, the Doctors Without Borders charity has said.    The charity said late on Tuesday that its Geo Barents rescue ship had picked up…

US, China agree to ease restrictions on journalist visas

  WASHINGTON, Nov 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States and China have agreed to ease restrictions on journalist visas shortly after a long-awaited virtual summit between its two leaders, with Beijing on Wednesday calling the move a “hard-won” achievement.   Washington regularly denounces the deterioration in China’s treatment of US…

Gambian politicians make promises to electorates ahead of December polls

BANJUL, Nov 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — Politicians in The Gambia have been making last-minute promises to convince the electorates to vote for them as the country gears up for the Dec 4 presidential election to determine who would govern the nation for the next five years. The Independent Electoral Commission has…

Covid-19: Brazil to give all adults booster shots

BRASILIA, Nov 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — All Brazilians aged above 18 will be eligible to get booster shots against COVID-19, Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said. “Thanks to the information we have from scientific studies, we have decided to extend the booster shot to everyone over 18 years of age who…

More than 15 million Chileans to elect president, lawmakers

SANTIAGO, Nov 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — More than 15 million Chileans will head to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president, deputies, senators and regional councilors. The candidates, including seven presidential nominees, will be vying for the votes of 15,030,974 registered voters, including more than 70,000 eligible Chileans living…

Bulgaria to elect new president in runoff

SOFIA, Nov. 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — Bulgaria’s head of state will be decided in a runoff on Sunday, according to the country’s election commission. According to the final results of the first round on Nov 14, Bulgaria’s incumbent President Rumen Radev received 49.42 percent of the votes and will head to…

Space rivalry: Russia admits destroying satellite with space missile strike

MOSCOW, Nov 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia admitted to destroying one of its satellites during a missile test, but rejected US accusations that it had endangered the International Space Station. US officials on Monday accused Russia of a “dangerous and irresponsible” strike on a satellite that had created a cloud of debris and…