US House Republicans block Democrats’ bid to pass 2,000-USD stimulus checks

WASHINGTON, Dec 25 (NNN-Xinhua) — Republicans in the US House of Representatives blocked an attempt from House Democrats to pass 2,000-US-dollar direct payments to Americans, a figure demanded by President Donald Trump. House Democrats moved to increase the amount of stimulus checks after the outgoing Republican president on Tuesday threatened…

Update: Touadera favourite as troubled Central Africa heads to vote

BANGUI, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Voters in the Central African Republic head to the polls on Sunday, with incumbent President Faustin Archange Touadera on course to win a second term in an impoverished country haunted by violence. In the week before voting day, Touadera accused his predecessor FrancoisBozize of plotting…

Moldova: PM Chicu announces resignation paving way for election

Moldovan Prime Minister Ion Chicu CHISINAU, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Moldovan Prime Minister, Ion Chicu, announced his resignation, paving the way for early parliamentary elections in the ex-Soviet country.The Wednesday announcement comes on the eve of the inauguration of President-elect Maia Sandu, a pro-European politician who defeated Moscow-backed incumbent Igor…

EU-China investment deal talks stalled

BRUSSELS, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Talks have stalled between the European Union and China on an investment agreement that had appeared to be in its final phase.The EU-China investment agreement, seven years in the making, would ensure that European companies in China can compete with domestic firms on a level…

Update: UK, EU seal Brexit trade deal just days before deadline

LONDON, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain clinched a narrow Brexit trade deal with the European Union on Thursday, just seven days before it exits one of the world’s biggest trading blocs in its most significant global shift since the loss of empire. The deal means it has swerved away from…

FIFA increases Africa’s Women’s World Cup slot to 6

Africa in time past had three direct slots ZURICH, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — FIFA has increased Africa’s slots at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand from three to six.The decision was one of the major decisions the Bureau of FIFA Council took…

Uganda welcomes first Airbus

Uganda Airlines Airbus A330 is accorded a water salute upon touch-down at Entebbe International Airport KAMPALA, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Uganda has received the first of the two brand new flag-carriers meant to boost tourism and travel across the continent and beyond.The second Airbus is expected in the country next…

Russia sends 300 military instructors to crisis-hit Central African Republic

Russia has delivered armoured vehicles to the Central African Republic army  BANGUI, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Russia has sent an additional 300 military instructors to the Central African Republic (CAR) to deal with what its foreign ministry calls a “sharp degradation of security”. It said the CAR government, which is threatened by rebel…

Over half of Chinese adults overweight, study finds

BEIJING, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Over half of adults in China, or more than half a billion people, are now overweight, an official report has found. The figures have risen significantly since 2002, when 29% of adults were overweight. The country’s rapid economic growth in recent decades has led to major changes to lifestyle,…

Covid-19: Cuban airports strengthen protocols amid peak tourist season

A view of a nearly deserted beach amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Varadero, Cuba HAVANA, Dec 25 (NNN-XINHUA) — Dr. Dayan Meneces, 46, works as the head of sanitary control at Cuba’s Jardines del Rey International Airport, which mainly serves seaside resorts of Cayo Coco and Cayo…