Ivory Coast opens 60,000-seater stadium ahead of AFCON 2023

The stadium will host the opening match and finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations ABIDJAN, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ivory Coast inaugurated its new 60,000-seat Olympic stadium, built with the help of China, in Ebimpe, on the outskirts of Abidjan, in preparation for the African Cup of Nations…

Nigeria governor promises action against ‘rogue’ SARS police unit

Nigerians have called on the disbandment of the Anti-Robbery Squad SARS LAGOS, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The governor of Nigeria’s Lagos State has pledged to take action against a notorious police unit which has been widely accused of committing human rights abuses. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said he was very worried about…

Colombia: FARC dissidents says it killed an ex-presidential candidate

BOGOTA, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Former FARC rebels took responsibility for six murders including that of Alvaro Gomez, a Colombian ex-presidential candidate killed in 1995, in a letter sent to a special court for peace. Justice for Peace (JEP), which is investigating crimes committed during the conflict between the ex-guerrillas…

Chechen dissidents killed in exile: precedents

PARIS, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A suspected killer goes on trial Wednesday for the murder of a man of Chechen origin in broad daylight in central Berlin a year ago, in a case with several precedents. AUSTRIA: In July 2020 Mamikhan Umarov, a 43-year-old asylum seeker and a vocal critic…

PM Johnson says UK ‘can prosper mightily’ under no-deal Brexit

LONDON, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Britain “can prosper mightily” without a post-Brexit trade deal with theEuropean Union, the day after agreeing to extend stalled talks with Brussels. Johnson, who accepted prolonging negotiations in a video-call Saturdaywith EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, said he…

Armenia says facing ‘decisive moment’ as Karabakh fighting intensifies

STEPANAKERT (Azerbaijan), Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Armenian and Azerbaijani forces were engaged in fierce clashes as fighting over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region intensified, with Armenia reporting heavy losses and its leader saying it was facing a historic threat. Yerevan’s defence ministry said separatist forces in Karabakh had repelled a massive…

Covid-19: Pres Trump improving but doctors were ‘very concerned’ – WH chief of staff

WASHINGTON, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) – White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said Saturday Donald Trump’s health, including a fall in his blood oxygen level, had left the president’s doctors “very concerned” but that he had improved and there was never a risk he would have to hand over power.…

Chile in one year has lost 1.8 million jobs, and unemployment reached 12%

SANTIAGO, Oct 3 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The Chilean government has begun to gradually lift restrictions in the country in an attempt to reactivate the economy, given a drop in new cases with 1,556 (the lowest rate in three months), though areas with a high level of new cases remain under quarantine.…

IMF mission expected next week in Argentina: minister Guzmán

Economy Minister Martin Guzmán BUENOS AIRES, Oct 3 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Argentina’s Economy Minister Martin Guzman said that a mission from the International Monetary Fund will arrive in the country next week as the country looks to negotiate a new program with the organization. “There is a constant, constructive dialogue. This…

US wildfires: Better weather won’t keep California from grim fire landmark

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Firefighters may get a reprieve from the weather on Saturday as red flag warnings of extreme fire danger expire. But the state is still poised to reach a grim milestone: Four million acres burned this year by wildfires. The state is only about 20,000 acres…