Pentagon warns against deal bringing Russian mercenaries to Mali

Wagner Group mercenaries at an unidentified location WASHINGTON, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US military officials warn Mali’s interim government against brokering any deal to use mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner Group to help with security and counterterrorism. For weeks, US and French officials have publicly tried to dissuade Malian leaders from…

South Sudan: Dozens Dead in South Sudan inter-communal fighting over cattle rustling

A map showing the location of Warrap State in South Sudan JUBA, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 36 people were killed in clashes between four communities in South Sudan over the weekend, according to Warrap state officials. Warrap Governor Aleu Ayieny Aleu called the latest wave of fighting in…

Ethiopia crisis: Food aid reaches Afar and Amhara, but situation still ‘dire’ for Tigray

GENEVA, Oct 6 (NNN-UNNS) — The first round of food distributions to people in Afar and Amhara regions impacted by the spread of the conflict in northern Ethiopia has been completed, the World Food Programme (WFP) said. However, distributions of supplies into Tigray are lagging behind due to various impediments…

Argentine house fire leaves 7 people dead

BUENOS AIRES, Oct 6 (NNN-Xinhua) — Seven people, including four minors, died in a house fire on Tuesday in the Argentine city of Bahia Blanca, some 635 km south of Buenos Aires, police said. The fire started in the front part of the house, located in the Villa Ressia neighborhood…

Romanian government collapses in censure motion

Romania’s Prime Minister Florin Citu BUCHAREST, Oct 6 (NNN-Xinhua) — Romania’s coalition government led by Prime Minister Florin Citu collapsed on Tuesday after it lost a no-confidence vote initiated by the main opposition Social Democratic Party (PSD) and supported by all opposition parties in Parliament. The motion was passed by…

EU leaders hold strategic discussion on bloc’s role on international stage

  KRANJ (Slovenia), Oct 6 (NNN-XINHUA) — The leaders of European Union (EU) held a strategic discussion on Tuesday on the bloc’s role on the international stage in light of the recent developments in Afghanistan, the AUKUS security partnership and the evolution of EU relations with China.   The gathering,…

US: Intellectually disabled convicted murderer executed in Missouri despite Vatican appeals for clemency

  WASHINGTON, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A 61-year-old African-American man was executed in the US state of Missouri on Tuesday, despite pleas for clemency from the Vatican and his lawyers on the grounds that he was intellectually disabled.    Ernest Lee Johnson was put to death by lethal injection for…

George Floyd sculpture in New York City defaced for a second time

NEW YORK, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A recently unveiled sculpture honouring George Floyd in New York City has been defaced for a second time. Grey paint was thrown across the statue on Sunday, police said, just two days after it was set up in Union Square. Clean-up efforts by community…

La Palma volcano evacuees face huge reconstruction challenges

Small boats are moored in the port of Tazacorte as the volcano spews lava, ash and smoke — but locals don’t want to leave LOS LLANOS DE ARIDANE (La Palma, Spain), Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The lives of thousands may have been devastated by the volcano’s eruption on La Palma…

Post-Brexit crisis: France says it could review bilateral deals with Britain in fishing row fury

French Prime Minister Jean Castex PARIS, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France is ready to review bilateral cooperation with Britain if London continues to ignore the agreement reached over fishing rights in its post-Brexit trading relationship with the European Union, the French prime minister said. Paris is infuriated by London’s refusal…