UN court says it can hear Iran-US sanctions case

THE HAGUE, Feb 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN’s top court has said it can hear Iran’s bid to overturn US nuclear sanctions re-imposed by Donald Trump, prompting “disappointment” in Washington, which had argued the issue lies outside its jurisdiction. Iran’s foreign minister swiftly hailed Wednesday’s decision as a “victory”in the…

EU sends top envoy to Moscow as Navalny controversy grows

BRUSSELS, Feb 4, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrelljets to Moscow on Thursday under pressure to confront the Kremlin over the jailing of Alexei Navalny and a crackdown on protesters. The visit — the first to Russia by a top EU envoy since 2017 — has drawncriticism…

UN wants to ‘make sure’ Myanmar coup fails: Guterres

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UN Secretary-GeneralAntonio Guterres said he would do everything in his power topressure Myanmar and “make sure that this coup fails.” Myanmar plunged back into direct military rule on Monday when soldiersdetained de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian leaders in aseries…

Covid-19: Travellers to Sweden required to present negative test from Feb 6

STOCKHOLM, Feb 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Swedish government announced that foreign citizens will have to provide a recent negative test for COVID-19 when entering Sweden as of Saturday. The announcement was made five days after the Public Health Agency requested tighter arrival controls to minimize the spread of mutated virus…

Ecuador ready for general elections on Sunday, says electoral body

QUITO, Feb 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — Ecuador is ready to go to the polls on Sunday to elect a successor to President Lenin Moreno and legislative members of the National Assembly (Congress) amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s National Electoral Council (CNE) announced on Wednesday. “We are ready to go to…

At least 3 injured in gas line explosion in US state of Virginia

WASHINGTON, Feb 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least three Washington Gas workers were injured on Wednesday in a gas line explosion which also caused fire in the eastern U.S. state of Virginia, the Fairfax County fire department said. The three workers were taken to a hospital with burns and injuries that…

Nearly 140 illegal migrants rescued off Libyan coast: UNHCR

TRIPOLI, Feb 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Wednesday said that nearly 140 illegal migrants have been rescued off Libya’s western coast. “Nearly 140 persons aboard 2 boats have been intercepted/rescued by Libyan Coast Guard and returned to Tripoli. UNHCR and partner IRC (International…

Ethiopia foils attack on UAE embassy in Addis Ababa, 15 suspects arrested

ADDIS ABABA, Feb 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — Ethiopia has arrested 15 suspected members of a terrorist group for allegedly planning attacks on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) embassy in Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) reported on Wednesday the 15 suspects had taken orders from a foreign country-based terrorist group…

African ministerial meeting to focus on COVID-19, AfCFTA

ADDIS ABABA, Feb 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are set to take center stage at the upcoming Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development held under the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The conference…

At least nine Malian soldiers killed in suspected militant attack

Central Mali has seen a string of deadly attacks since the start of the year BAMAKO, Feb 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nine soldiers were killed in Mali’s troubled central region early Wednesday when their camp came under attack from insurgents, security sources said.Their position at Boni, located between Douentza and Hombori…