Cuban dissident freed but cannot leave country

Cuban dissident Guillermo Farinas HAVANA, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An award-winning Cuban dissident who was detained this week announced that he has been released without charge but barred from a planned trip to Europe for a meeting on human rights. Guillermo Farinas, a 58-year-old psychologist, is a leading voice in…

Final scramble for votes before Ireland goes to the polls

An election poster depicting Leo Varadkar hangs from a lamp post in Dublin DUBLIN, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ireland on Friday entered the final day of campaigning before this weekend’s election, as polls predicted a historic three-way fight for control of the next government. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, of the…

Amazon deforestation for January hits record

BRASILIA, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil more than doubled in January compared with the previous year, according to official data published Friday. More than 280 sq km were cleared, an increase of 108 per cent. It was the largest area cleared in the month of…

US slaps sanctions on Venezuela state airline

WASHINGTON, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States criminalized transactions with Venezuelan flag carrier Conviasa, saying it wanted to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to cede power. Under the new sanctions, anyone in the United States will be banned from any transactions with Conviasa, which stands for Consorcio Venezolano de Industrias…

Global shortage of anti-virus masks: WHO chief

WHO says the world is facing a chronic shortage of personal protective equipment GENEVA, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The world is running out of masks and other protective equipment against the novel coronavirus, the World Health Organization chief warned. “The world is facing a chronic shortage of personal protective equipment…

US offers US$100 million to China, others to fight coronavirus

WASHINGTON, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States on Friday offered up to US$100 million to China and other impacted countries to combat the fast-spreading coronavirus. “This commitment – along with the hundreds of millions generously donated by the American private sector – demonstrates strong US leadership in response to the outbreak,”…

US Pres Trump ousts two officials who testified against him in impeachment

WASHINGTON, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two days after President Donald Trump’s impeachment acquittal, his administration on Friday ousted two officials – Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman and US Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland – who provided damaging testimony about Trump in Democratic-led congressional hearings. Sondland issued a statement saying he would…

Philippines: Pres Duterte orders termination of military agreement with US

MANILA, Feb 8 (NNN-Xinhua) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte wants Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin to notify Washington about the intention of Manila to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the United States and the Philippines, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said. “President Duterte is instructing Executive Secretary (Salvador) Medialdea to…

Malawi president appeals court ruling nullifying election win

President Peter Mutharika LILONGWE, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika and the country’s electoral commission have formally filed an appeal against a court ruling that overturned his win last year. “I can confirm that the court has received both appeals by first respondent [the president] and second respondent…

US worried over Guinea’s referendum vote, questions fairness of process

Conde met with Pompeo in Washington for talks in December 2019 WASHINGTON, Feb 8 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — The United States has officially reacted to plans by Guinean president Alpha Conde to revise the consitution in a move aimed at running for a third term in office. Condé announced in a statement…