Malawi president backtracks on one million jobs promise

Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera LILONGWE, Oct 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has backtracked on his campaign promise to create one million jobs, saying the government can only employ 200,000 people.President Chakwera said the government could not create jobs on its own and needed the private sector’s help.He said…

UN: Hundreds of thousands displaced by floods in South Sudan

An estimated 800,000 people have been affected by the floods JUBA, Oct 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nearly one million people are now known to have been affected by flooding in South Sudan, according to the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA says an estimated 800,000 people “who…

Ecowas lifts Mali sanctions

Col Bah Ndaw (Left) was named as interim president, and Moctar Ouane as prime minister BAMAKO, Oct 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The West African regional group – Ecowas – has lifted sanctions imposed on Mali following a coup that ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August. This comes after military authorities…

Covid-19: WHO calls for action against rising ‘pandemic fatigue’

COPENHAGEN, Oct 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The World Health Organization warned European countries about “pandemic fatigue” which it says threatens the continent’s ability to tackle the coronavirus. “Although fatigue is measured in different ways, and levels vary per country, it is now estimated to have reached over 60 percent in some…

Mexico: AMLO announces 32 new projects for economic recovery

Mexico to implement construction works worth US$11.8 billion with private investors MEXICO CITY, Oct 6 (NNN-TELESUR) — Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) announced an infrastructure program with 39 specific projects aimed at fostering the economic recovery. The program already began with the resumption of infrastructure works paralyzed years ago…

US bans communist immigrants from ever becoming US citizens

WASHINGTON, Oct 6 (NNN-TELESUR) — New guidance on immigration laws released by the United States Citizens and Immigration Services (USCIS) makes it almost impossible for members of a Communist or similar party to be granted permanent residence or US citizenship. In a policy alert issued Oct 2, USCIS announced: “In general, unless otherwise exempt, any…

Covid-19: Peru resumes int’l flights after six months of lockdown

Staff members wear protective masks in the boarding area of international flights at the Jorge Chavez International Airport LIMA, Oct 6 (NNN-TELESUR) — Peru resumed international flights on Monday that were suspended in March as part of emergency measures to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). President Martin…

Brazil’s Amazon risks tipping from forest to savanna: study by Europe-based scientists

PARIS, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — As much as 40 percent of the Amazon risks crossing a tipping point from rainforest to savanna as greenhouse gas emissions reduce the rainfall needed to sustain its unique ecosystem, scientists said. Forests are particularly sensitive to changes that affect rainfall for extended periods, and…

Hurricane Delta threatens Mexico, southern United States

MIAMI, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tropical storm Delta strengthened into a hurricane Monday in the Caribbean, and is expected to intensify as it passes over Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and into the southern United States. Hurricane Delta was packing maximum sustained winds of 80 miles (130 kilometers) per hour as it…

Micronesian leaders threaten to leave Pacific forum

Chinese President Xi Jinping (second left) sits opposite Micronesian President David Panuelo during their meeting in Beijing, China KOROR (Palau), Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The leaders of five Micronesian nations have threatened to withdraw from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) unless they get to choose the head of the regional grouping,…