After US claims, France says no evidence of Hezbollah explosives stores

US Ambassador Nathan Sales, Acting Under Secretary for Civilian Security Democracy and Human Rights and Coordinator for Counterterrorism speaks during a news conference at the State Department in Washington PARIS, Sept 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France’s foreign ministry said there was no evidence to suggest the armed wing of Lebanon’s Hezbollah…

Covid-19: French Finance Minister tests positive

Bruno Le Maire, French Minister of the Economy, Finance, and Recovery PARIS, Sept 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said he had tested positive for coronavirus, but had no symptoms and would continue to carry out his duties while quarantined at home. “I tested positive for COVID-19…

US presidential election: Voters line up as some states open early voting; Trump, Biden head to Minnesota

Voters have from now until Election Day to cast ballots in Minnesota, Virginia, South Dakota and Wyoming MINNEAPOLIS (Minnesota, US), Sept 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Voters lined up in Minnesota to cast ballots on Friday ahead of campaign trips to the state by President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival, Joe…

Covid-19: European cities announce new restrictions as cases soar

Britain has imposed restrictions in some areas and is considering a new national lockdown LONDON, Sept 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — European nations from Denmark and Iceland in the north to Greece in the south announced new restrictions on Friday to curb surging coronavirus infections in some of their largest cities, and…

Somali leader names new prime minister

Mohamed Hussein Roble, the newly appointed prime minister of Somalia MOGADISHU, Sept 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has named Mohamed Hussein Roble as prime minister. The president said Roble was selected on the basis of “his knowledge, experience and ability to move forward with state-building efforts and…

Great Lakes Region summit in Goma postponed due to Covid-19, to be held virtually later

Goma city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo KINSHASA, Sept 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Democratic Republic of Congo government has postponed the planned summit of leaders from the Great Lakes Region which was to take place on Sept 17, in the country’s eastern city of Goma. Congolese Foreign Minister Marie…

Libyan strongman Haftar ‘ready’ to lift oil blockade

BENGHAZI, Sept 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Libyan strongman General Khalifa Haftar says he is ready to temporarily lift his blockade of the country’s oil production facilities. The rival government which backs him in eastern Libya submitted its resignation earlier this week after protests in Benghazi and other cities over deteriorating living…

AU backs calls for Mali junta to hand over to civilian rule

Mali’s military rulers met West African leaders this week but they were reluctant to handover ADDIS ABABA, 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The African Union (AU) has urged the military junta in Mali to quickly appoint civilian leaders to manage an 18-month transition towards elections following last month’s coup.The AU Peace and…

Covid-19: Portugal heading towards 1,000 daily cases – Prime Minister

LISBON, Sept 19 (NNN-AGENCIES0 –Portugal is on course to reach 1,000 new coronavirus cases a day by next week if current trends continue, its prime minister warned on Friday after the first meeting of the government’s Covid-19 crisis group in almost three months.The national health authority, the DGS, reported 780…

Covid-19: US extends border restrictions with Canada, Mexico until Oct 21

WASHINGTON, Sept 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States and Canada have extended existing border restrictions until Oct 21 as authorities continue their efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic. The month-long extension, which does not cover trade or travel by air, follows restrictions first imposed in March and rolled over several…