DR Congo measles: Nearly 5,000 dead in major outbreak

KINSHASA, Nov 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Measles has killed nearly 5,000 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2019, authorities said, after the disease spread to all the provinces in the country.Close to a quarter of a million people have been infected this year alone.The World Health Organization (WHO) says…

Presidential election in chaotic Guinea-Bissau could resolve political impasse

President Jose Mario Vaz BISSAU, Nov 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — After weeks of political turmoil including violent protests, an alleged coup attempt and the emergence of two competing prime ministers, Guinea-Bissau is holding a presidential election on Sunday that many hope will usher in a semblance of calm.The vote will pit…

Russia: Pres Putin vows to perfect mystery rocket after engine blast

President Vladimir Putin MOSCOW, Nov 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to press on with the development of a nuclear-powered rocket believed to have been at the centre of a deadly accident.Five engineers and two others died when a rocket engine exploded at a test range on…

US charges Chinese national with stealing trade secrets – Justice Department

Department of Justice building ST LOUIS (Missouri, US), Nov 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Chinese national who worked for Monsanto before it was purchased by Bayer AG was charged in St. Louis, Missouri, with stealing trade secrets for China, the U.S. Justice Department said. Haitao Xiang, 42, an employee of Monsanto…

Sudanese urged to be patient with political transition: Governing council

Aisha Musa KHARTOUM, Nov 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A civilian member of Sudan’s governing council has urged people to be patient in their wait for change, after the overthrow of the former president, Omar Bashir. Aisha Musa, a teacher and activist appointed to the 11 member Sovereign Council, told the BBC…

South African Airways agrees deal to end eight-day strike

A South African Airways aircraft PRETORIA, Nov 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South African Airways (SAA) reached a deal on wages with two trade unions on Friday to end an eight-day strike that has weighed on the cash-strapped state airline. Already reliant on government handouts to survive, SAA had to suspend hundreds…

Pres Trump signs stopgap funding, avoiding US government shutdown

WASHINGTON, Nov 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump signed a temporary spending bill that averts a government shutdown, after the Senate approved the one-month measure hours before federal funding was to expire at midnight. The short-term bill only funds federal operations until Dec 20,meaning Congress will be forced to…

Nigerian air force destroys Boko Haram’s meeting venue

LAGOS, Nov 23 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Nigerian air force (NAF) saidthat it has wiped out one of terror group Boko Haram’s meetingvenues in the northeastern Nigerian state of Borno. The operation by the NAF also led to the death of several Boko Haramleaders, NAF spokesperson Ibikunle Daramola said in a…

Chile’s president says police may have violated protocols

SANTIAGO, Nov 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said that police may have broken protocols in responding to a month ofprotests, and prosecutors will investigate whether they violated humanrights. His comments came after Amnesty International released a report denouncing a “deliberate policy” of wounding protesters during the unrest that…

Five dead in Sicily firework depot explosion

ROME, Nov 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Five people died as a result of two explosions at a fireworks factory in Sicily, firefighters and police said after the incident at the family-run firm. The late Wednesday afternoon blasts immediately killed two workmen and the 71-year-old wife of the owner of the Costa…