Russian crew set for blast off to film first movie in space

   MOSCOW, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia on Tuesday is set to launch an actress and a film director into space in a bid to best the United States to the first movie in orbit.    If successful, the Russian crew will beat a Hollywood project that was announced earlier…

Namibian fishermen detained in Yemen repatriated

WINDHOEK, Oct 5 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — Seven Namibian fishermen returned to Namibia two weeks ago after being detained at the port of Al Mukalla in Yemen for almost a year. Their detention and that of 24 other fishermen from Russia, Indonesia, Peru and Senegal, was effected after their vessel, the Cobija,…

Nigeria: Nine weeks after, Nigerian doctors call off strike

ABUJA, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigerian doctors, under the umbrella of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Monday morning, suspended its nationwide industrial action, about nine weeks after it commenced. The development followed a marathon emergency meeting of the association which stretched from Sunday evening to early Monday…

Spain says 14 rescued at sea, correcting earlier report of deaths

  MADRID, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Fourteen people were rescued in the Mediterranean Sea off the Balearic Islands on Monday, Spanish authorities said, correcting an earlier report that 11 dead bodies had been found.   “A total of 14 people have been found off the island of Cabrera, all of…

Tunisian president appoints ambassador to US

Tunisia’s President Kais Saied TUNIS, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tunisian President Kais Saied appointed Hanene Tajouri Bessassi as ambassador to the United States, weeks after he dismissed her predecessor without explanation. Saied has removed numerous officials from their posts since July 25, when he sacked the prime minister, suspended parliament and assumed…

Algerians blame French Pres Macron ‘electioneering’ for latest crisis

Media reported that French president Emmanuel Macron had told descendents of Algeria’s war of indpendence that the North African country was ruled by a “political military system” that had “totally re-written” its history ALGIERS, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — As ties with France deteriorate, many in Algeria blame electioneering by President…

Venezuela to reopen border with Colombia after years-long closure

CARACAS, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Venezuela will reopen its border with Colombia on Tuesday, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said in a state television address on Monday, after a nearly three-year closure due to political tensions. Venezuela closed the border in February 2019 as the Venezuelan opposition, backed by Bogota…

Disgraced ex-Peru president Fujimori undergoes heart operation

  LIMA, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Disgraced former Peru president Alberto Fujimori underwent heart surgery Monday after his health deteriorated, said his daughter Keiko Fujimori, who is also his political heir.   “My father has undergone an operation, he has had a catheterization and a stent has been placed,” she…

France reserved as US Sec of State Blinken visits to patch up ties

  PARIS, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will hold potentially delicate talks in Paris on Tuesday to patch up ties with France, which is still angry over the cancellation of a submarine contract.   President Emmanuel Macron was furious last month when Australia scrapped a…

Covid-19: Ireland’s daily cases fall below 1,000 for first time since mid-July

DUBLIN, Oct 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — Ireland’s daily count of COVID-19 cases stood at 892 on Monday, falling below 1,000 for the first time since mid-July, according to the Irish Department of Health. Daily cases in the country had remained above 1,000 for 79 consecutive days since it jumped to 1,170…