Covid-19: Nicaragua releases 2,800 prisoners to house arrest to contain virus

MANAGUA, May 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nicaragua released more than 2,800 prisoners to house arrest to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, but advocates said there were no political prisoners among them. Authorities have jailed at least 86 opposition figures and supporters of rights groups under the government of Daniel…

Covid-19: Japan lifts emergency; China hits back at US

SINGAPORE, May 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Here are the latest developments from Asia related to the novel coronavirus pandemic: JAPAN’s prime minister lifted a state of emergency imposed due to thecoronavirus for the majority of the country but kept it in place for topcities Tokyo and Osaka. After fears the virus…

Lebanon starts talks with IMF for financial aid

BEIRUT, May 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Lebanon held talks with the International Monetary Fund aimed at securing financial aid desperately needed to save a crumbling economy, both sides said. Lebanon is battling its worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war, now compounded by a coronavirus lockdown. The Mediterranean country, which…

China relocates villagers living in 800m-high cliffs in anti-poverty drive

The village made headlines after photos showed people scaling ladders to get home BEIJING, May 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — They used to call an 800m-high cliff home, but dozens of villagers in China’s Sichuan province have now been relocated to an urban housing estate.Atulie’er village became famous after photos emerged showing…

Palestinian shot dead after ramming car into Israeli soldiers – Army

Israeli forces are seen at the scene of an incident near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank HEBRON, May 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Palestinian rammed a car into Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank on Thursday before being shot dead, the Israeli army said.“An assailant drove at a high…

Covid-19: Wisconsin court rules against state government’s coronavirus lockdowns

PORT WASHINGTON (Wisconsin, US). May 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Residents of Wisconsin flocked to bars after the court sided with Republican lawmakers who had argued the state’s top public health official exceeded her authority by imposing restrictions on businesses and daily life. “Its Democrat Governor was forced by the courts to…

Covid-19: US Pres Trump threatens China ties, says in no mood for Xi talks

WASHINGTON, May 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump further hardened his rhetoric towards China on Thursday, saying he no longer wishes to speak with Pres Xi Jinping and warning darkly he might cut ties over the rival superpower’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Tensions have ratcheted up between Washington…

Kenya troops ‘planning Somalia exit next year’

Kenya troops entered Somalia to fight al-Shabab in 2011 NAIROBI, May 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — There is a plan for Kenyan troops to leave Somalia by December next year, local newspaper Daily Nation has reported, citing a new book by just retired military chief Samson Mwathethe. The exit plan includes first…

Burkina Faso prosecutor launches probe after 12 ‘terrorism’ suspects die in detention

Gendarmes on patrol in northern Burkina Faso OUAGADOUGOU,  May 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Burkina Faso prosecutor has launched an investigation after 12 people died during the same night in detention cells, hours after they were arrested for suspected terrorism-related offences in a town in the east of the country.The case…

Eritrean activists ‘sue EU over forced labour project’

Eritrea requires its citizens to serve a mandatory “national service” AMSTERDAM, May 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Eritrean human rights activists have sued the European Union (EU) and asked it to stop funding a €80m scheme that they say relies on forced labour. The Netherlands-based foundation Human Rights for Eritreans (FHRE) filed…