Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan talks fail to break Nile Dam deadlock

KHARTOUM, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The long-running dispute over Ethiopia’s mega-dam is still going nowhere.But Sudan’s prime minister has invited his Egyptian and Ethiopian counterparts for a closed meeting discussion.It comes after talks hosted by the African Union on Tuesday between Cairo and Adis Ababa failed to reach a binding…

Congo’s Pres Dennis Sassou-Nguesso sworn in for fifth term

oCongo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso has taken the oath of office for another term BRAZZAVILLE, April 17 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Congo’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso on Friday has taken the oath of office for another term, extending his 36-year accumulated rule. The 77-year-old won 88.4 percent of the vote in the…

US shooting: 8 killed in US city of Indianapolis; gunman commit suicide

WASHINGTON, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least eight people were killed in a shooting in the US city of Indianapolis by a gunman who is believed to have then killed himself, police said. The victims were all found at a Fedex facility near the international airport where the shooting took…

Pres Biden calls for US, Russia ‘to deescalate’ soon after announcing new sanctions against Russia

WASHINGTON, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Joe Biden said after announcing new sanctions against Russia that for both countries “now is the time to deescalate.” Biden described the sanctions, which are aimed at the Russian economy and dozens of individuals, as a “measured and proportionate” response to Moscow’s hostile actions…

Covid-19: Covax seeks $2 bn donations to cover vaccines; $400m raised so far

GENEVA, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Covax scheme launched a push for an extra $2 billion in donations, saying it needed the money in advance to reserve Covid-19 vaccine doses. The Covax facility ensures the 92 poorest participating economies can access coronavirus jabs, with the cost covered by donors. The…

UK summons Russian ambassador over ‘malign activity’

LONDON, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain said it had summoned the Russian ambassador to express what it said was the country’s “deep concern at a pattern of malign activity”. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said that included “cyber intrusions, interference in democratic processes, and the build-up of military forces…

UN to maintain Afghanistan mission after US, NATO withdrawal

UNITED NATIONS, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN said it will maintain its political and humanitarian mission to Afghanistan despite the departure of US and NATO troops later this year. Stephane Dujarric, spokesman to the UN secretary-general, said it was “clear and obvious” that the troops’ departure “will have an…

Covid-19: China’s Coronavac 80% effective at preventing Covid deaths – Chile results

SANTIAGO, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — China’s Coronavac vaccine was 67percent effective at preventing symptomatic Covid-19 and 80 percent atpreventing death, according to real-life results unveiled Friday fromChile’s inoculation campaign. “These figures should convey peace of mind to the country,” HealthMinister Enrique Paris told journalists as he announced the outcome oftwo…

Russia to close parts of Black Sea for six months

MOSCOW, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia will restrict thenavigation of foreign military and official ships in parts of theBlack Sea until October, a Russian news agency reported Friday, a movethat was swiftly condemned by Ukraine and the EU. Tensions between Moscow and Kiev have escalated in recent weeksfollowing an uptick…

Covid-19: Latin American pandemic recovery lagging – IMF

WASHINGTON, April 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Latin America’s recovery from the pandemic crisis is lagging the rest of the world and the economy will not return to its pre-pandemic level until 2024, the IMF warned. The persistent health crisis caused by Covid-19 remains a concern, and though growth has accelerated, helped…