Cash-strapped Kenyan varsities face closure in World Bank loan deal

The State-owned firms the World Bank wants closed have turned losses for three consecutive years NAIROBI, Nov 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya has come under pressure from the World Bank to close and merge the cash-strapped public universities and loss-making parastatals in what would see thousands of public servants lose their…

Sudan authorities close bridges ahead of mass anti-coup protests

Since last month’s coup, more than 100 government officials and political leaders have been arrested KHARTOUM, Nov 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sudanese authorities have announced the closure of four out of 10 bridges linking the capital, Khartoum, with the cities of Bahri and Omdurman, Sudanese television reported hours before mass anti-coup…

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…