UN withdraws Gabon peacekeepers from CAR over sex abuse claims

The UN has struggled for years with allegations of sexual exploitation by UN peacekeepers LIBREVILLE, Sept 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gabon’s defense ministry has said the United Nations will withdraw the country’s 450-strong peacekeeping contingent from the Central African Republic (CAR) over sexual abuse allegations.“In recent weeks, exceptionally serious acts that…

French forces kill Daesh Sahel jihadist leader wanted by US: Pres Macron

 PARIS, Sept 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The head of Daesh in the Greater Sahara, who was wanted for deadly attacks on US soldiers and foreign aid workers, has been killed in an operation by French troops.   Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi was “neutralised by French forces”, President Emmanuel Macron tweeted early…

One million Nigerian children to miss school due to insecurity: UN

   ABUJA, Sept 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — One million Nigerian children will likely stay away from school because of the threat of violence after a series of mass kidnappings and attacks targeting students this year, the UN said.    More than 1,000 pupils have been snatched in mass abductions for ransom…

UN Security Council ‘concerned’ about ‘major threat’ from North Korea missiles: France

  UNITED NATIONS, Sept 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN Security Council on Wednesday gathered behind closed doors for an emergency meeting about North Korea’s latest ballistic missile test which member states consider a “major threat,” the French ambassador said.    In the past, such meetings — this one called by…

New York says UNGA delegates must be vaccinated, angering Russia

 NEW YORK, Sept 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — All leaders and diplomats attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week will have to provide proof of vaccination, the city government said, sparking anger from Russia.   Delegates must be vaccinated to enter the debate hall, the mayor’s office told…

World leaders will hold closed-door climate meet at UN

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will host a closed-door meeting of world leaders Monday on the sidelines of the GeneralAssembly in New York to boost climate commitments.   The roundtable comes less than six weeks before a major United…

SpaceX launches 1st space tourism mission

CAPE CANAVERAL (Florida, US), Sept 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — SpaceX launched its Inspiration4 mission on Wednesday evening from NASA’s facility in Florida, successfully bringing its all-civilian crew into orbit.The mission is the first private crew launched to orbit by Elon Musk’s company and the first time a crew was made up…

Covid-19: Over 17 mln fully vaccinated in Morocco

A medical worker administers a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to a recipient in Sale, Morocco RABAT, Sept 16 (NNN-Xinhua) — The total number of people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in Morocco reached 17,057,066, the Moroccan Ministry of Health said in a statement. So far, a total of 20,561,862 first…

UN Security Council encourages resumption of talks on Blue Nile dam

Irish UN Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason (L) chairs a UN Security Council meeting on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile UNITED NATIONS, Sept 16 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Security Council encouraged Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan to resume negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile.…

Covid-19: Chile to allow entry of fully vaccinated foreigners from Oct. 1

People rest at a square in Santiago SANTIAGO, Sept 16 (NNN-Xinhua) — Chile will allow foreigners who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the country starting Oct 1, as the country’s pandemic eases, the government said. “We call on all citizens and foreigners, whether residents or not, to…