South Africa: Ministers freed in military vets hostage drama

CAPE TOWN, Oct 15 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise, Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele, and Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thabang Makwetla were held hostage by disgruntled military veterans who said the South African government failed to address their demands. The ministers were attending…

Cameroon authorities urge calm after police kill girl, 5, in Buea

Hundreds of residents took to the streets of Buea BUEA (Cameroon), Oct 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Authorities in English-speaking western Cameroon have appealed for calm after the killing of a five-year-old girl by a policeman in the troubled region and his subsequent lynching by an angry crowd. The incident took place…

Migrant: Syrian man found dead on Polish-Belarusian border

WARSAW, Oct 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Polish police said they have found the body of a Syrian migrant near the border with Belarus, the latest death among people trying to cross the European Union’s eastern border through dense forest and swamps. Bialystok police spokesman Tomasz Krupa said that a police helicopter…

Four inmates found dead in riot-hit Ecuador prison, allegedly committed suicide

Inmates hold signs while standing atop a roof at the Regional 8 prison, next to the penitentiary, in the outskirts of Guayaquil QUITO, Oct 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Four inmates were found dead Thursday at the same Ecuadorian prison where 119 prisoners were killed in the country’s deadliest inmate riot two…

Covid-19: More than 85% of cases in Africa undetected – WHO

BRAZZAVILLE, Oct 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Six out of every seven coronavirus cases are not being detected in Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) says. It has made the calculation based on a formula that looks at recorded deaths and case fatality rates. So far only eight million Covid cases have…

UN to send panel of experts to monitor elections in Venezuela

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 15 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United Nations has decided to send a panel of electoral experts to follow next month’s regional and municipal elections in Venezuela. A team of three experts will be deployed to Venezuela to follow the electoral process and will provide the UN secretary-general with…

At least 9 killed in South Africa bus crash

JOHANNESBURG, Oct 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 9 people including a baby died when a bus that was travelling near the Tugela River in Bergville lost control and veered off the road, said paramedics.It’s believed that the bus was travelling from Durban to Johannesburg at the time of the crash.Netcare…

Mexico set to impose visa requirements on Brazilian visitors

MEXICO CITY, Oct 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexico is slated to impose visa requirements for Brazilian visitors amid efforts to slow a wave of US-bound migration from Brazil, according to a document from Mexico’s interior ministry. Mexico has not required visas for Brazilians since 2004, giving migrants an easier path to…

Covid-19: Strike fears as Italy’s workers require covid pass

Italy launched its Covid Green Pass – a digital certificate – in June  ROME, Oct 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy’s Green Pass becomes mandatory for all workplaces on Friday, but there are fears of disruption among transport workers and at ports where Covid vaccination rates are relatively low. While more than…

Covid-19: US Navy says sailors who refuse vaccine will be expelled

WASHINGTON, Oct 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Navy said that personnel who refuse to be vaccinated against Covid-19 will be expelled from the force, ahead of the Nov 28 deadline for the injection.    “With Covid-19 vaccines now mandatory for all military members, the Navy has announced plans to start processing…