Update: UK’s PM Johnson defiant after bombshell court ruling

LONDON, Sept 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson challenged opposition MPs to call a confidence vote in his government, in a defiant response to the Supreme Court decision to strike down his suspension of parliament. Britain’s highest court on Tuesday found the Conservative leader acted illegally in suspending, or…

Dozens trapped as building collapses in Sierra Leone

FREETOWN, SEPT 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An official in Sierra Leone says a three-story building under construction has collapsed and trapped some 50 to 60 people in the rubble. Assistant Inspector General of Police Saidu Kamara said that nine people have been rescued and are receiving treatment at a hospital. He…

Kenya, Somalia agree to normalise relations

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 26 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Somalia and Kenya have agreed to normalise ties, following months of tension over a maritime border dispute.In talks mediated by Egypt’s president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the Kenyan and Somali heads of state agreed ‘to restore relations to previous status’ and ‘take diplomatic steps to…

Sudan arrest 138 Africans trying to enter Libya ‘illegally’

KHARTOUM, Sept 26 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Sudan’s paramilitary force announced the arrest of 138 Africans trying to enter Libya ‘illegally’. These migrants include dozens of Sudanese, Chadians and Ethiopians. A statement from the Rapid Support Force said the migrants were arrested on the borders of Sudan, Chad and Libya. The statement…

IMF names Bulgarian economist Kristalina Georgieva as new head

Kristalina Georgieva (left) succeeds Christine Lagarde (right) as IMF head WASHINGTON, Sept 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Bulgarian economist Kristalina Georgieva has been selected as the new managing director of the International Monetary Fund.Georgieva, who was previously chief executive of the World Bank, becomes the first person from an emerging economy to…

More than 2 million animals perish in Bolivia wildfires: environmental experts

LA PAZ, Sept 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than two million wild animals, including jaguars, pumas and llamas, have perished in weeks of wildfires that devastated huge swaths of Bolivian forest and grassland, environmental experts said. The fires devastated the Chiquitania tropical savanna in the east of the country. “We have…

Tanzania summons World Health Organization rep over Ebola complaint

DAR ES SALAAM, Sept 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tanzania summoned the World Health Organization’s local representative over its assertion that the government refused to share information on suspected Ebola cases, signalling displeasure at the agency’s rare public rebuke. WHO said on Saturday it was made aware on Sept 10 of the…

Zimbabwe’s capital resumes pumping water temporarily

HARARE, Sept 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe’s capital Harare will temporarily resume pumping water at its main water works, an official said, bringing some relief to residents who have endured months without water. Most of Harare’s water and sewer infrastructure is in a state of disrepair leaving the city unable to…

Ghana arrests three people for plot against president

The suspected coup plotters ACCRA, Sept 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ghana said police foiled a suspected coup when they arrested three people believed to have been amassing makeshift bombs, weapons and computer equipment in a plot targeting the presidency. The Information Ministry said the men were taken into custody after 15…

Liberian hospital patients turned away as medical strike bites

MONROVIA, Sept 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A medical workers’ strike in Liberia has paralysed the country’s health care system, leaving its biggest hospitals in disarray and thousands of patients without care. Government doctors, nurses and other staff are protesting against low wages, delayed payments and poor working conditions that include shortages…