US, Australia discussing ‘contingencies’ in case of Taiwan conflict

US President, Joe Biden CANBERRA, April 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States and Australia are working on a “range of contingencies” in case of military conflict with China over its policies toward Taiwan, according to a top US diplomat in Canberra.In an interview with the The Australian National University’s (ANU)…

New Ebola case reported in Guinea in nearly a month

oA health worker wearing protective gear is sprayed with disinfectant at the Nongo CONAKRY, April 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) —  Guinea on Thursday reported its first new case of the Ebola virus in almost a month, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).In a Twitter post, the director of WHO Regional Office…

Mohamed Bazoum sworn in as Niger’s president amid tensions

Niger’s new President Mohamed Bazoum during his inauguration ceremony NIAMEY, April 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) —  Mohamed Bazoum has promised to improve security and education while being sworn in as Niger’s new president, in the country’s first democratic transition of power since independence in 1960. The inauguration ceremony on Friday in the…

Central African Republic rebel chief Sidiki Abass dies

Bi Sidi Souleymane alias Sidiki Abass died March 25 from injuries sustained in fighting last November BANGUI, April 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — One of the main armed groups in the Central African Republic, a member of a rebel coalition seeking to overthrow the government of President Faustin Archange Touadéra, announced the…

4 UN peacekeepers killed in northern Mali

Mali has been trying to contain an insurgency since 2012 BAMAKO, April 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Four United Nations peacekeepers were killed in an attack by militants on their camp in Aguelhok in northern Mali, the UN mission in Mali said.The UN mission said that helicopters were dispatched to the scene…

Update: At least 48 dead as Taiwan train derails in tunnel

TAIPEI, April 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Dozens of people were killed on Friday when a packed train derailed inside a tunnel in eastern Taiwan, the island’s worst railway accident in decades. Taiwan’s National Fire Agency said at least 48 people were confirmed dead with 66 others sent to hospital. Officials said…

Arab Islamist shows clout with prime-time speech in Israel

Mansour Abbas, leader of the United Arab List, also known by the Hebrew name Ra’am delivers a statement in Nazareth JERUSALEM, April 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The leader of an Arab Islamist party in Israel delivered a prime-time address in Hebrew on Thursday that was carried live by major TV networks,…

Ukraine says Russia massing troops on border, US warns Moscow

Some observers say the reported Russian troop buildup is a test for the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden KIEV, April 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of building up troops on his country’s border as the United States warned Russia against “intimidating” Ukraine. Kiev has been locked…

Covid-19: Sao Paulo exhumes old graves to make space for surging burials

Gravediggers wearing protective suits exhume old cement graves at Vila Nova Cachoeirinha cemetery in Sao Paulo SAO PAULO, April 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazil’s biggest city sped up efforts to empty old graves, making room for a soaring number of COVID-19 deaths as Sao Paulo city hall registered record daily burials…

Niger ‘coup’ thwarted before president’s inauguration on Friday

Security sources say the presidential guard fought off the assailants  NIAMEY, April 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Niger says it thwarted an attempted coup just days before the inauguration of the next president. Armed attackers tried to seize the presidential palace in the early hours of Wednesday but were fought off by the presidential guard,…