US places Al-Qaeda affiliate leader in Sahel on terrorism blacklist

WASHINGTON, Nov 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Trump administration is trying to turn up pressure on three senior al-Qaeda leaders in Africa and the Middle East. The State Department placed the head of the main al-Qaeda affiliate in Mali on a terrorism blacklist. It also offered rewards for information leading to…

UN warns of East Africa locust invasion

ADDIS ABABA, Nov 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) –The UN has said that if an Ethiopian locust infestation is not brought under control then the crop-devouring insect could “invade” neighbouring countries.The Ethiopian government has called for “immediate action” to deal with the problem affecting four of the country’s nine states, a UN statement…

Zimbabwe sacks more than 200 doctors over strike action

Doctors sing and hold placards during a march through central Harare  HARARE, Nov 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The body in charge of the public health service in Zimbabwe has said that 211 doctors have been sacked this week because of their on-going strike for better pay.The doctors were “found guilty of…

France’s 20 measures to ‘take back control’ on immigration

Migrants wait to board buses during the evacuation of a makeshift camp in La Villette Park, Paris, in August PARIS, Nov 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France’s Prime Minister has presented to parliament 20 measures for tougher controls on immigration – including quotas for economic migrants and restrictions on access to healthcare.…

Three dozen rescued after blast in east German potash mine

BERLIN, Nov 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Around three dozen mine staff in eastern Germany were rescued on Friday after being trapped 700 metres below ground following an unexplained blast in a potash mine, police said. The local broadcaster MDR reported that firefighters had carried out a rescue operation, and shortly afterwards…

US Sec of State Pompeo warns against China, Russia on eve of Berlin Wall anniversary

BERLIN, Nov 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday issued a stark warning against China and Russia on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. “Western, free nations have a responsibility to deter threats to our people” from governments like…

7 killed after heavy snowfall hits Indian-controlled Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Nov 8 (NNN-Xinhua) — At least seven people including two troopers were killed, and many others injured due to heavy snowfall that hit Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said Friday. The snowfall began on Wednesday evening and continued until Thursday night blocking surface and air links to the region,…

9 migrants killed in boat sinking off Spanish island

MADRID, Nov 8 (NNN-Xinhua) — A boat carrying immigrants capsized off the coast of the island of Lanzarote in the Spanish Canary Islands, killing nine people, local rescue services confirmed on Thursday. The tragedy happened in the early hours of Wednesday morning when the boat hit rocks close to the…

US vaping-related deaths climb to 39, illnesses to 2,051

WASHINGTON, Nov 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — U.S. health officials on Thursday reported 2,051 confirmed and probable cases and 2 more deaths from a mysterious respiratory illness tied to vaping, taking the total death toll to 39. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,888 cases and 37 deaths…

US-led coalition launches operation to protect Gulf waters

MANAMA, Nov 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) –A US-led naval coalition officially launched operations in Bahrain on Thursday to protect shipping in the troubled waters of the Gulf, after a string of attacks that Washington and its allies blamed on Iran. The coalition, aimed at warding off the perceived threat to the world’s…