UK court orders $200m refund to Nigeria in gas plant suit

Nigeria was allowed to appeal but told to pay a deposit of $200m LONDON, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A London commercial court ordered that Nigeria be given the $200m it deposited last year pending its appeal against the $10bn awarded to a firm over a failed gas plant. Process and…

Regional court to rule on Pres Museveni’s eligibility in Uganda’s polls

President Yoweri Museveni has been in power for 34 years DAR ES SALAAM, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The East African Court of Justice will rule on a challenge to a decision by Uganda’s supreme court to uphold a constitutional amendment that removed the age limit for presidential candidates.The 2017 amendment…

Update: Armenia says its fighter jet ‘shot down by Turkey’

Turkey, which has F-16s, is openly backing Azerbaijan in the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh  YEREVAN, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Armenia says one of its fighter jets was shot down by a Turkish jet in a major escalation of the conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. The Armenian foreign ministry said the…

WHO to probe ‘sexual exploitation’ by aid workers in DR Congo

This woman said she was sexually exploited by a doctor involved in the Ebola response KINSHASA, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization (WHO) has pledged to investigate allegations that aid workers tackling the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo sexually abused and exploited women. WHO and…

Mexico’s forgotten Afro-descendants celebrate roots

MEXICO CITY, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — With dancing devils, fireworks and traditional musical instruments like the donkey jawbone, Afro-Mexicans proudly celebrate a heritage that is often forgotten in the Latin American country despite a centuries-old presence. The festival in honor of their patron saint Nicolas of Tolentino is part ofefforts…

UK, Canada impose sanctions on embattled Belarus President Lukashenko

LONDON, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain and Canada slapped sanctions on Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, his son and senior figures in the regime for a string of human rights violations. UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the travel ban and asset freeze on a total of eight individuals sent a…

US Sec of State Pompeo in tense visit to Vatican as US vote nears

ROME, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visits Rome Wednesday, just a month ahead of the US elections and hot on the heels of a diplomatic breach with the Vatican, that experts see as an effort to win conservative Catholic votes. Pompeo will not meet Pope…

Armenia not ready for Russia-mediated peace talks with Azerbaijan: PM

184 YEREVAN, Sept 30, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Wednesday said peace talks with Azerbaijan under Russian mediation would be inappropriate, as fighting over the breakaway Nagorny Karabakh region entered a fourth day. “It isn’t very appropriate to speak of a summit between Armenia,Azerbaijan and Russia…

Belgium gets new PM after 493 days

BRUSSELS, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Flemish liberal leader Alexander DeCroo will be Belgium’s new prime minister at the head of a seven-partycoalition government – 16 months after an inconclusive election. De Croo’s French-speaking socialist rival Paul Magnette confirmed thatthe parties had chosen the 44-year-old finance minister as premier. He is…

Brazil court blocks move to repeal mangrove protections

BRASILIA, Oct 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Brazilian court blocked President Jair Bolsonaro’s government from repealing regulations protecting mangroves and other fragile coastal ecosystems, after an outcry from environmentalists. Ruling a day after a decision to eliminate so-called “permanent protection zones” along Brazil’s Atlantic coast, Federal Judge Maria Carvalho granted a…