Rwanda genocide survivors want speedy trial for Kabuga, but court faces delays

A photograph of Rwandan genocide fugitive suspect Felicien Kabuga KIGALI, Oct 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A special UN tribunal in Tanzania should quickly try elderly tycoon Felicien Kabuga on charges of financing the 1994 Rwandan genocide, survivors said, after France’s top civil court ruled he could be handed over for prosecution.…

Pres Buhari urges unity on Nigeria’s 60th anniversary

President Buhari has promised to consolidate Nigeria’s democracy ABUJA, Oct 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed for unity as the country celebrates its 60th independence anniversary. Nigeria gained independence from Britain on Oct 1, 1960. Seven years later, a civil war erupted as the south-eastern region tried…

Covid-19: Israel passes law to ban mass protests during lockdown

People protested outside the Israeli parliament before the law was approved  JERUSALEM, Oct 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Israel’s parliament has handed the government the power to ban mass protests during the country’s second nationwide coronavirus lockdown. Demonstrators will be confined to groups of up to 20 people and must stay within 1km of their…

Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict: Russia offers to host Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks

It is the worst fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh since a 1994 ceasefire  MOSCOW, Oct 2  (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia has offered to host talks on ending the fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenian forces in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the offer in calls to both governments, his office…

Covid-19: Russia reports daily record of cases since June

MOSCOW, Oct 2 (NNN-XINHUA) — Russia registered 8,945 COVID-19cases in the past 24 hours, a daily record not seen since June 12 as thepandemic resurges, the country’s coronavirus response center said. According to the official statistics, Russia’s total number of COVID-19infections has grown to 1,185,231. The country continues to rank…

EU leaders meet on rifts over Turkey and budget

BRUSSELS, Oct 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — European leaders meet on Thursday to tackle disputes that threaten their huge coronavirus recovery package and weaken their ability to respond to crises on their borders with Turkey and Belarus. The first night of the extraordinary two-day European Union summit will be dominated by the…

Turkey, Iran deploy ‘game-changing’ drones in north Iraq

SULAIMANIYAH (Iraq), Oct 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Turkey and Iran are increasingly adopting “game-changing” drones as their weapon of choice against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq, prompting fears for the safety of civilians and stoking geopolitical tensions. “Not a day goes by without us seeing a drone,” said Mohammad Hassan, mayor…

Tunisian President meets US Defense Secretary over anti-terrorism, Libyan crisis

Tunisian President Kais Saied (C) meets with U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper and the American delegation in Tunis TUNIS, Oct 1 (NNN-Xinhua) — Tunisian President Kais Saied met on Wednesday with US Defense Secretary Mark Esper over the issues of anti-terrorism and the Libyan crisis during his one-day visit to…

Covid-19: Kenya lost coronavirus billions to corruption – audit report

The new report comes after local media reported the theft of Covid-19 donations NAIROBI, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya lost 2.3bn Kenyan shillings during the procurement of Covid-19 items, according to a recent audit report. The Auditor General, Nancy Gathangu, said managers at the state body responsible for purchases, the…

Covid-19: South Africa opens borders to African countries

Airports were closed in March after the first coronavirus cases were confirmed PRETORIA, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa has opened its borders to travellers from all African countries, but has retained restrictions against countries with higher coronavirus infection rates including the UK, the US and Russia. The country closed…