Humanitarian crisis in focus as Italy hosts G20 Afghan summit

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi ROME, Oct 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi host a special summit of the Group of 20 major economies on Tuesday to discuss Afghanistan, as worries grow about a looming humanitarian disaster following the Taliban’s return to power. Since the Taliban took over…

US: High winds prompt PG&E to shut power to 25,000 in California as toppled power lines causes several fires

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) began shutting off power to about 25,000 customers in central and northern California and Southern California Edison warned it may do the same for up to 9,000 of its customers as high winds toppled trees, downed power lines and…

How Tanzania plans to spend Sh1.3trillion IMF loan

President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan DODOMA (Tanzania), Oct 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Tanzanian government outlined how the $576 million Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be utilized what with President Samia Suluhu Hassan warning that she will not tolerate misappropriation of the funds.Speaking in…

Ethiopia army launches major attack on Tigray – Rebels

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ADDIS ABABA, Oct 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ethiopia’s national army launched a ground offensive against forces from the northern region of Tigray on Monday, the war-torn region’s governing Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) said.TPLF spokesperson Getachew Reda said the army alongside allied forces from the northern…

Covid-19: How funds meant for coronavirus in DR Congo went missing – Report

KINSHASA, Oct 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Missing money, opaque pay practices and poor management hamper the coronavirus response in the Democratic Republic of Congo, researchers say. The Congo Research Group, based in New York University, says several new committees were set up that cost more money but failed to solve the problems.…

Covid-19: WHO experts back extra jab for people with weak immune systems

 GENEVA, Oct 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization’s vaccine advisers recommended people with weakened immune systems should be offered an additional dose of all WHO-approved Covid-19 vaccines.   The UN health agency’s experts also said over-60s fully immunised with China’s Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines should be offered an additional…

Covid-19: UK nightlife sector lost 86,000 jobs during pandemic – study

 LONDON, Oct 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Some 86,000 jobs have been lost in the UK’s nightlife sector since 2019, an industry body said, blaming coronavirus closures.    The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) said the sector accounted for 1.6 percent of GDP in 2019, the equivalent of 36.4 billion pound, and…

UN chief slams ‘broken’ Taliban promises made to women and girls

 UNITED NATIONS, Oct 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres slammed the Taliban’s “broken” promises to Afghan women and girls.   “I am particularly alarmed to see promises made to Afghan women and girls by the Taliban being broken,” he told reporters. “I strongly appeal to the Taliban to keep…

Interpreter who helped rescue Pres Biden in 2008 escapes Afghanistan

  WASHINGTON, Oct 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An interpreter who helped rescue US President Joe Biden in a 2008 Afghan snowstorm has escaped Afghanistan with his family after hiding from the Taliban for weeks, the State Department confirmed.   After crossing into Pakistan over land, Aman Khalili and his family flew on…

Venezuela and Turkey Sign Three Cooperation Agreements

ANKARA, Oct 11 (NNN-TELESUR) — Venezuela’s Foreign Affairs Minister Felix Plasencia has signed three cooperation agreements with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu to strengthen bilateral ties. The agreements are connected with the development of Turkey’s Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), Venezuela’s Simon Bolivar Institute for Peace and Solidarity, and the…