US will return to WHO if “independence from Chinese Communist Party”

WASHINGTON, Sept 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US government officials said that the United States of America will continue to call for reforms to the World Health Organization (WHO) and independence from the Chinese Communist Party, but “when it is right” they may consider re-entering the structure. In a conference call for…

UN refuses amnesty to DRC groups as “reward for murderers”

KINSHASA, Sept 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) refused prior amnesty and integration into the regular army of armed groups as a way of establishing peace and stability in the country’s eastern region. “We don’t owe amnesty,” Leila Zerrougui told a press…

Covid-19: Spain races to finish new Madrid hospital for second wave

MADRID, Sept 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Near Madrid airport, an army of cranesworks round the clock to build a new pandemic hospital which is expected to open in November. But a second wave of the Covid-19 outbreak is already under way in Spain,straining the capital’s public health care system. Around 400…

Nile dam row: US ‘to cut $100m in aid’ to Ethiopia

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will be the largest hydro-electric plant in Africa WASHINGTON, Sept 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US is reportedly cutting $100m in aid to Ethiopia over a controversial mega dam being built on a tributary of the River Nile. An Ethiopian government source said the move had been triggered by…

Covid-19: Struggling airlines lead US planned job cuts in August – Report

WASHINGTON, Sept 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US employers announced another 115,762 job cuts in August, led by struggling airlines as the COVID-19 pandemic weighs on travel and financial assistance from the government lapses. Though the layoffs reported by global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas on Thursday were 56 per cent…

Covid-19: Jamaica headed to the poll Thursday amid soaring coronavirus cases

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness has come in for criticism that he put politics over public health KINGSTON, Sept 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Jamaicans headed to the polls for a general election on Thursday (Sep 3) amid soaring coronavirus infections and rising criticism over the government’s handling of the pandemic. The ruling…

Covid-19: Brazil tops 4 million cases amid signs virus slowing

BRASILIA, Sept 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazil topped four million COVID-19 cases on Thursday as health ministry officials said infections were beginning to slow in the world’s second worst-hit country. Since the first case came to light on Feb 26, the South American colossus has registered more than 4.04 million infections and over…

Covid-19: Ethiopia to repatriate migrants from Saudi Arabia

ADDIS ABABA, Sept 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ethiopia’s foreign ministry says it will begin repatriating about 2,000 migrants stranded in Saudi Arabia from next week.The announcement comes after a UK-based newspaper, The Telegraph, reported that hundreds, if not thousands, of Ethiopian migrants had been locked up in squalid conditions in detention…

Ten foreign missions urge Tanzania to hold credible polls

President John Magufuli is seeking a second term DAR ES SALAAM, Sept 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ten foreign missions in Tanzania have called for a “free and fair” elections next month, amid concern by rights group on increased repression of opposition parties and non-governmental organisations. The missions said security for all…

South Africa unrest: Third policeman arrested over unclear down syndrome teen’s murder

JOHANNESBURG, Sept 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A third police officer has been arrested in connection with the murder of 16-year-old Nathaniel Julies near his home in Johannesburg’s Eldorado Park neighbourhood. The teenager, who had Down’s Syndrome, had gone out to buy biscuits when he was shot on Aug 26. Two other…