Update: Ecuador unions call off anti-austerity protests after 370 arrests in two days

QUITO, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ecuador’s transport unions called off protests against the scrapping of fuel subsidies by President Lenin Moreno after two days of unrest that halted transport nationwide and resulted in almost 370 arrests. From the highland capital Quito to the coastal city of Guayaquil, many bus and…

US measles cases exceed 1,200 but elimination status maintained

NEW YORK, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 1,200 people have been sickened with measles this year, the highest number since 1992, US health authorities said, though the infectious childhood disease officially remains “eliminated” after the worst-hit region contained its outbreak. New York health officials declared the end of the…

Greek PM: EU states must do more to share burden of hosting refugees

ATHENS, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) –The Greek prime minister has called for sanctions to be imposed on EU member states that refuse to share the burden of hosting refugees, as the country struggles to handle burgeoning numbers of asylum seekers. Amid mounting tensions over the dramatic increase in men, women and…

South Africa, Nigeria mend relations and agree trade deals

PRETORIA, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa and Nigeria signed 30 trade and cooperation agreements, weeks after a wave of violence against Nigerian nationals in Johannesburg and Pretoria had strained relations between Africa’s top two economies. In September, mobs armed with makeshift weapons attacked businesses and homes owned by foreigners,…

Russian Prime Minister Medvedev slams US for Cuba embargo during Havana trip

HAVANA, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev lambasted the Trump administration for trying to create a “toxic atmosphere” around Cuba, during a two-day trip to the island demonstrating Russia’s support for its Communist government. The former Soviet Union was Cuba’s main backer for decades and Moscow has sought to renew its commercial,…

‘War wing’ fights for survival in Kosovo poll

PRISTINA, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The former guerilla commanders who have dominated Kosovo since its independence will fight for political survival in elections on Sunday, with opposition parties threatening to boot them from power. The poll is the fourth since tiny Kosovo formally broke away from Serbiain 2008. Kosovo’s leading…

Mexico Supreme Court justice resigns over suspicious bank deposits

MEXICO CITY, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexican Supreme Court Justice Eduardo Medina Mora has resigned amid an investigation into claims hetransferred millions of dollars into bank accounts in Britain and the UnitedStates. “The Presidency of the Republic confirms that President (Andres Manuel)Lopez Obrador accepted the resignation of Justice Eduardo Medina…

Paris police attack: Four killed by knife-wielding IT employee

PARIS, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A knife-wielding man who worked at police headquarters in central Paris went on a rampage Thursday, stabbing to death four employees before himself being shot dead, officials said. A fifth person was critically injured and was being treated in hospital after the deadliest attack on…

Clashes as Ecuador president declares ‘state of emergency’ over fuel prices

QUITO, Oct 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Clashes broke out between protesters andpolice in Ecuador after President Lenin Moreno declared a “state ofemergency” following demonstrations against rising fuel prices dueto the government scrapping subsidies. Police fired tear gas at protesters who threw stones and fire bombs closeto the seat of government in…

Six killed as typhoon lashes South Korea

Typhoon Mitag Cars are flooded in Samcheok, 290 kilometers east of Seoul, after Typhoon Mitag brought heavy rains to the area on Oct. 3, 2019. Photo courtesy of YONHAP. SEOUL, Oct 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least six people were killed and several others missing after Typhoon Mitag lashed South Korea…