Historic Liberia war crimes trial to open in Switzerland

Liberian rebels celebrate in Monrovia in August 2003 BELLINZONA (Switzerland), Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A former warlord will become the first Liberian to face a war crimes trial over alleged atrocities during the country’s 1990s civil war when he goes on trial in Switzerland.Alieu Kosiah, who was arrested in Switzerland…

Ecuador finds nest of huge, endangered sea turtle

QUITO, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Conservationists in Ecuador have found anest of endangered leatherback sea turtles, a whopper of a species that canweigh up to a tonne and be three meters long. Also known as the lute turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), it is the world’slargest species of sea turtle. The Environment…

Militants attack military base in southern Philippines

MANILA, Dec 4 (NNN-XINHUA) — Around 50 suspected members of amilitant group has attacked a military camp in Maguindanao province in the southern Philippines, the military said on Friday. Lt. Col. Alaric Delos Santos, the spokesman of the military’s WesternMindanao Command (Westmincom), said members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters…

Update: Flooding kills 9, affects over 90,000 households in southern Thailand

BANGKOK, Dec 4 (NNN-XINHUA) — Thailand’s Department of DisasterPrevention and Mitigation (DDPM) said on Friday that severe flooding insouthern Thailand killed nine people and one reportedly went missing,while 91,686 households were affected. The Royal Thai Army personnel were assisting flood victims in sevenprovinces to higher grounds. The provinces include Surat…

Covid-19: Global virus toll passes 1.5 million as nations plan for vaccine

WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The world passed the grim milestone of 1.5 million coronavirus deaths on Thursday, as several nations planned to deliver much hoped-for vaccines early next year to break the cycle of lockdowns and restrictions. US President-elect Joe Biden said that on his first day in office…

United States imposes visa curbs on members of Chinese Communist Party

WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump’s administration has issued rules to restrict travel to the United States by members of China’s ruling Communist Party and their families, in its latest move to push back against Chinese activity in the country.The policy reduces the maximum validity length of…

Covid-19: South Africa fears a resurgence of coronavirus as localised outbreaks drive infections

South Africa president, Cyril Ramaphosa PRETORIA, Dec 4 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — The emergence of new outbreaks in several parts of South Africa has raised fears of a resurgence of the coronavirus, which could be encouraged by the expected gatherings during the coming festive season.Authorities in the African country officially most affected…

Uganda: Government hit by cash crisis, scraps staff allowances

Finance minister Matia Kasaijja KAMPALA, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Ugandan Government has indefinitely suspended payment of all allowances for its workers due to poor cash flow.However, the Ministry of Finance said the payments for the staff of State House, Ministry of Defence and other priority agencies and statutory obligations…

Old building collapses in Egypt; 6 people confirmed dead; search for more victims

Six corpses have been recovered, search for more victims CAIRO, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Rescue workers using bulldozers continue to clear away debris in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria as they searched for any survivors trapped under the rubble of a three-story apartment building which had collapsed in the Moharam…

Namibian politician named after Adolf Hitler wins election as local councillor

Adolf Hitler Uunona emerged winner in Ompundja, a small town in Namibia WINDHOEK, Dec 4 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — A Namibian politician named after the former German leader, Adolf Hitler has been elected as a local councillor for the governing Swapo party.Adolf Hitler Uunona was elected with 85% of the votes in…