African economic conference calls on policymakers to curb red-tape

SHARM EL SHEIKH (Egypt), Dec 4 (NNN-XINHUA) — The African Economic Conference (AEC-2019) called on African policymakers to take bold steps to tackle red-tape and high startup costs in order to create decent and well-paying jobs for the continent’s youth. The call was made by African experts and policymakers attending…

World Bank says Tanzania’s GDP to grow faster in 2020

World bank says Tanzania’s GDP forecast to grow 5.8% in 2020 from 5.6% in 2019 DAR ES SALAAM, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) –Tanzania’s economy will grow 5.8% in 2020 compared with an estimated 5.6% this year, and growth will rise to 6.1% in 2021, the World Bank said. The World Bank’s…

UN deploys troops to central South Sudan to quell violence

JUBA , Dec 4 (NNN-XINHUA) — The United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said it has deployed peacekeepers to deter violence between rival communities in the northern Lakes region, central South Sudan. UNMISS said it temporarily re-deployed 75 Nepalese troops from Rumbek to Maper, where some 79 people…

‘Russia link’ suspected’ in Chechen exile’s Berlin Park murder

Police at the spot in a Berlin park where the Chechen exile was shot dead BERLIN, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The killing of a Chechen exile in the heart of Berlin will be investigated by the chief German prosecutor as a possible Russian intelligence operation, reports say. Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, 40, was shot in…

Italy authorises docking of two ships carrying rescued migrants

ROME, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy authorised the arrival of two charity ships carrying more than 100 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean, under the terms of an agreement with other EU countries, the interior ministry said. “The European Commission has started the procedure of distributing the 61 migrants on the…

US Pres Trump says China trade deal might have to wait for 2020 election

US Pres Donald Trump and Pres Xi of China LONDON, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump said a trade agreement with China might have to wait until after the US presidential election in November 2020, denting hopes of a quick resolution to the dispute which has weighed on…

France and EU ready to fight back over U.S. tariff threat, ministers say

The US government said it may impose duties of up to 100 per cent on US$2.4 billion of imports from France, including champagne, handbags, cheese and other products PARIS, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France and the European Union are ready to fight back over the latest U.S. tariff threats on…

South African court cuts jail term for farmers in coffin case

JOHANNESBURG, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A South African court has cut the sentences of two white farmers who forced a black man into a coffin and threatened to kill him, sparking nationwide outrage. Willem Oosthuizen and Theo Martins Jackson had their convictions for attempted murder and intimidation set aside by…

Update: Huge blaze at Sudan ceramics factory kills 23

KHARTOUM, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The number of people killed in the fire which swept through a ceramics factory in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum has risen to 23, while more than 130 have been injured, the government has said in a statement.The fire was triggered after a gas tanker exploded, it…

US court orders banks to release Trump’s financial documents

NEW YORK, Dec 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A US appeals court ruled Tuesday that two banks must hand over documents about Donald Trump’s finances to Congress, in the latest legal blow to the president.Two Democratic-controlled committees issued subpoenas to Deutsche Bank and Capital One in April demanding that they hand over…