Covid-19: US Pres-elect Biden urges Congress to pass robust relief plan

President-elect Joe Biden WILMINGTON (Delaware, US), Dec 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) –President-elect Joe Biden called on Congress to quickly approve a “robust” aid plan to address the Covid-19 economic crisis, which his pick to lead the US Treasury called a “tragedy” for American families.As he presented his economic team, including former Federal…

Brexit: Chief EU negotiator Barnier says talks with UK nearing ‘make-or-break’ point

Chief EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier LONDON, Dec 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Chief EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier warned Wednesday he could not guarantee he would strike a trade deal with Britain, and the next few days will be crucial.“We are quickly approaching a make-or-break moment in the Brexit talks,” Barnier…

Iran watchdog passes law on hardening nuclear stance, halting UN inspections

The Guardian Council is charged with ensuring draft laws do not contradict Shi’ite Islamic laws TEHRAN, Dec 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) –Iran’s watchdog body approved a law on Wednesday that obliges the government to halt UN inspections of its nuclear sites and step up uranium enrichment beyond the limit set under Tehran’s…

Lebanese political stalemate leaves France pushing aid meeting

French President Emmanuel Macron PARIS/BEIRUT, Dec 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Emmanuel Macron attempted to revive a French initiative on Lebanon during an international aid conference he hosted on Wednesday evening, but with the country’s fractious political class bickering, hopes of a breakthrough appear slim.Four months after a massive explosion that…

Commonwealth sends team to observe Ghana elections

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland LONDON, Dec 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Commonwealth has deployed a team of election observers to Ghana to keep watch during the country’s General Election slated for Monday next week.The Commonwealth Observer Group is made up of politicians, diplomats and experts in law, human rights, gender and…

East African Community upbeat US Pres-elect Biden will revive stalled trade talks

Textile workers make garments for the US market ARUSHA (Tanzania), Dec 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The East African Community is optimistic that the US President elect Joe Biden will revive the negotiations and implementations of the EAC-US Trade and Investment Partnership.This came to the fore as leaders from the EAC congratulated…

Nigeria police rescue 10 people after ‘baby factory’ raid

Illegal facilities parading as clinics often house pregnant women and offer their babies for sale ABUJA, Dec 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Police in Nigeria have rescued 10 people, including four children, four pregnant women, and two other women from an illegal maternity home.The operation was carried out at the so-called “baby…

Zimbabwe: Rescue slows a week after mine collapse; all trapped presumed dead

All efforts to rescue survivors from the pit have proved futile HARARE, Dec 3 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Rain and flooding have slowed down rescue efforts at a Zimbabwean mine where a shaft collapsed last week, trapping at least 10 artisanal miners.Hopes of finding survivors have been lost and relatives camped at…

Ethiopia unrest: Fearing rebel infiltration, Sudan intensifies checks on refugees

Khartoum is worried that fighters could disguise as refugees and enter its territory KHARTOUM, Dec 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sudan is increasing scrutiny of people seeking refuge in its territory from Ethiopia’s Tigray region.Khartoum is worried that fighters allied to the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front, accused of rebellion by Addis Ababa,…

Ethiopia unrest: Addis Ababa gives UN ‘unimpeded’ access to Tigray to deliver aid

Ehiopian children who fled Tigray wait for food to be distributed in front of a warehouse ADDIS ABABA, Dec 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ethiopia and the United Nations have reached an agreement to channel desperately needed humanitarian aid to a northern region where a month of war has killed, wounded, and…