US actor DiCaprio denies Pres Bolsonaro accusation of link to Amazon fires

SAO PAULO, Dec 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — American actor Leonardo DiCaprio on Saturday denied a claim by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro that he had helped fund groups allegedly linked to fires in the Amazon rain forest. “While worthy of support,” the 45-year-old DiCaprio said in a statement on his Instagram account,…

Albania quake toll hits 50 as search for survivors ends

TIRANA, Dec 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The death toll from a powerful Albanian earthquake rose to 50 as the search for survivors was called off, Prime Minister Edi Rama said. The 6.4 magnitude quake that hit the Balkan country before dawn on Tuesday was the most deadly and destructive in decades,…

140 illegal immigrants deported from Libya to Chad, Sudan

TRIPOLI, Dec 1 (NNN-XINHUA) — An immigration reception center inthe southern Libyan city of Kurfa on Thursday announced the deportation of 140 illegal immigrants to their home countries. “140 illegal immigrants of the center have been deported to Chad andSudan,” the center said in a statement. The illegal immigrants have…

Six European countries join barter system for Iran trade

PARIS, Dec 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Paris, London and Berlin on Saturdaywelcomed six new European countries to the INSTEX barter mechanism, which is designed to circumvent US sanctions against trade with Iran by avoiding use of the dollar. “As founding shareholders of the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges(INSTEX), France, Germany…

Italy: No clear flight plan for Alitalia after rescue stalls

ROME, Dec 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Efforts to save loss-making Alitalia havereached an impasse after months of unsuccessful negotiations with potential buyers, leaving Italy’s government undecided on the next move. The struggling carrier, which has been under special administration since2017 and continues to burn through cash, is now at a standstill…

EU to be more ‘assertive’ says new chief Michel

Outgoing European Council President Donald Tusk (right) and newly appointed European Council President Charles Michel Brussels, Dec 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Europe will become more “assertive” on the world stage, the new head of the European Council, Charles Michel, vowed as he took over from Donald Tusk. They staged a formal…

Fatal attacks on DR Congo clinics risk resurgence of Ebola epidemic

GOMA (DR Congo), Dec 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — International organizations warned of a potential resurgence of Ebola in Congo after deadly militia attacks on health centers forced aid groups to suspend operations and withdraw staff from the epidemic’s last strongholds. Mai Mai militia fighters killed four people and injured several others…

Sudan PM elected chairperson of regional body IGAD

Abdalla Hamdok ADDIS ABABA, Dec 1 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdock has been elected chairperson of the regional political bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, IGAD. IGAD Heads of State and government representatives met for the 13th Ordinary Summit in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa where Hamdock was…

Algerian protesters keep up pressure on authorities as vote nears

ALGIERS, Dec 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tens of thousands of Algerian protesters marched to demand that a presidential election next month be canceled until the old ruling guard step aside and the army quit politics. The marches, held in cities and towns across the country, marked the 41st consecutive weekly protest…

Zimbabwe doctors reject ‘return to work offer’

Striking doctors HARARE, Dec 1 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Zimbabwe state doctors who were fired for going on strike have rejected a government offer to return to work, their union said. The doctors went on strike on Sept 3 to protest against poor wages, in some cases less than US$100 a month.…