US calls on Ethiopian PM for ‘complete end’ to fighting

WASHINGTON, Dec 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to end fighting, voicing concern as a military offensive pursued the Tigray region’s dissident leaders. Pompeo in a phone call with Abiy “called for a complete end to the fighting and constructive dialogue…

Militants attacked Mali, foreign military bases in north, no casualties but material damage

BAMAKO, Dec 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Suspected militants attacked several Malian and foreign military bases with mortars and rockets in the north of the country, military sources said. No casualties were immediately reported in the Monday attacks on Menaka, Gao and Kidal in what appeared to be a rare attempt at…

UK: Scotland’s SNP party calls for new independence vote in 2021

LONDON, Dec 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) –– Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she will seek a second referendum on independence if her Scottish National Party (SNP) wins at elections in May. The head of Scotland’s devolved government and the leader of the pro-independence SNP said she would use the vote for…

NATO invites US Pres-elect Biden to summit after he takes office

BRUSSELS, Dec 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — NATO has invited US president elect Joe Biden to a summit in Brussels “early next year” after he takes office, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said. “The specific date is not yet decided. But there will be a NATO summit. And of course, all NATO leaders…

Covid-19: Croatia PM Plenkovic positive as country sees steep surge in cases and deaths

ZAGREB, Dec 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic tested positive for the new coronavirus but is “feeling well”, his cabinet said, as the country hit a new record death toll. Plenkovic, 50, who has led Croatia since 2016 as chief of the conservative HDZ party, started isolating two…

Covid-19: US Pres Trump’s controversial coronavirus advisor resigns

WASHINGTON, Dec 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — One of President Donald Trump’s favored coronavirus advisors who sparked controversy over his comments against mask-wearing and other issues has resigned. It was reported that Scott Atlas, who lacked relevant experience or qualifications in public health or infectious disease, tendered his resignation on Dec 1.…

Covid-19: US predicts ‘two vaccines before Christmas’ as virus super-surge looms

WASHINGTON, Dec 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hopes for a first wave of vaccinations before the end of 2020 received a boost with US firm Moderna saying it has filed Monday for emergency authorization of its Covid-19 vaccine in the United States and Europe. After top US scientists warned Americans to brace…

Covid-19: WHO says ‘will do everything’ to find virus origins

GENEVA, Dec 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization insisted it would do everything possible to find the animal origins of Covid-19, insisting that knowledge was vital to preventing future outbreaks. “We want to know the origin and we will do everything to know the origin,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom…

European rights court OKs climate lawsuit by 6 young Portuguese against 33 nations

STRASBOURG (France), Dec 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Europe’s top rights court said that it would give priority status to a lawsuit filed by six young Portuguese citizens against 33 nations they say are not fulfilling obligations to limit climate change. It is the first such lawsuit heard by the European Court…

Burkina Faso elections: Despite winning presidency, Kabore’s party fails to clinch majority parliamentary seats

President of Burkina Faso, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré OUAGADOUGOU, Nov 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Despite winning the much hyped presidential election, Burkina Faso ruling party for the elected leader Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, Mouvement du people MPP failed to clinch majority of the parliamentary seats in the just concluded election.The electoral…