Tigray crisis: Ethiopian Government admits Mekelle airstrike

People within the city of Mekelle reported airstrikes on Monday  ADDIS ABABA, Oct 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ethiopia has admitted it was behind airstrikes in the capital of the conflict-riven Tigray region – hours after it denied it had carried out what rebels say were deadly raids. The state-run news agency…

Norway violence: Victims killed with ‘sharp object’, not arrows

The Kongsberg supermarket where part of the attack took place reopened on Monday  OSLO, Oct 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Police in Norway say the five people who died in an attack last week by a man carrying a bow and arrows were actually killed by a “sharp object”. The suspect, Espen…

Covid-19: Nigeria woos World Bank to fund vaccine plant

ABUJA, Oct 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the government is wooing the World Bank to finance a vaccine plant. Osinbajo said at an international conference in Abuja, organized by the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, that the government was in talks with the World…

Ecuador president declares state of emergency over drug violence

   QUITO, Oct 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency in the country grappling with a surge in drug-related violence, and ordered the mobilization of police and military in the streets.   “Starting immediately, our Armed Forces and police will be felt with force in…

Covid-19: Latvia to impose lockdown over Covid spike

  RIGA, Oct 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said that the Baltic state will go into lockdown for a month due to surging coronavirus infections and a poor vaccination rate.   “I apologise to those who have already been vaccinated, but the restrictions will apply to everyone,”…

France recovers 213 migrants from Channel

  LILLE (France), Oct 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A total of 213 migrants were rescued in the English Channel on Sunday and Monday as they tried to cross from France to Britain in makeshift boats, French officials said.   After “many” boats were reported in distress overnight, rescue operations continued into…

US renews calls for talks with North Korea

  WASHINGTON, Oct 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A US envoy made a new appeal for talks with North Korea, insisting the United States has no hostile intent following a spike in tensions.   Sung Kim, the US special representative on North Korea, met in Washingtonwith his South Korean counterpart, Noh Kyu-duk,…

EU says ready to implement sanctions on Belarusian airline to curb migrant flow

BRUSSELS, Oct 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — The European Union (EU) was ready to implement sanctions against the national airline of Belarus in a bid to partially curb the flow of migrants entering the EU, an EU official said. This was one of the measures discussed by EU foreign ministers and would…

At least 11 passengers killed, 12 injured after bus plunged down a 328-foot slope in Ecuador

QUITO, Oct. 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — As many as 11 passengers have been confirmed dead after a bus plunged down a 328-foot deep slope in Ecuador on Monday. The Integrated Security Service also reported that 12 other people, including the driver, were taken to area hospitals near Colta, Chimborazo. The driver’s…

Czech President Zeman unable to perform duties due to ill health, says Senate head

Zeman’s office has disregarded calls to give any details on the 77-year-old president’s condition or diagnosis PRAGUE, Oct 19 (NNN-XINHUA) — Czech President Milos Zeman is currently unable to carry out his duties, the head of parliament’s upper house has said, citing a report he had requested from the hospital…