Freedom of the press at its lowest in 50 years: Study

Press freedoms worldwide have declined significantly over the past five years to hit their lowest level in 50 years STOCKHOLM, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Press freedoms worldwide have declined significantly over the past five years to hit their lowest level in 50 years, a report by a democracy think tank…

Update DRC: AU condemns attacks against civilians in North Kivu Province

African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf .ADDIS ABABA, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The African Union has condemned the killing 71 innocent people in an overnight attack by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels in North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In a statement, the Chairperson of…

New Cuban-Chinese institute to foster therapies and biotechnology

CHANGZHI (China), Sept 11 (NNN-ACN) — Eduardo Martinez Diaz, Cuban deputy prime minister, described the opening of the Biopharmaceutical Research Institute, part of the Cuban-Chinese joint venture Biotech Pharmaceutical, in the northern Chinese city of Changzhi, as a milestone.The institute is intended to produce innovative drugs for cancer immunotherapy and…

Rebels linked to Islamic State kill at least 61 at East Congo funeral

A charred wreckage of a truck stands on a road after it was burnt KINSHASA. Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Allied Democratic Forces rebels with machetes and guns have killed at least 61 civilians at a funeral in east Congo, officials said, in one of the deadliest attacks by the Islamic…

DRCongo’s Ebola-hit towns under confinement as cases tick up

DRC’s health ministry last week declared the country’s first Ebola outbreak in three years KINSHASA, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Towns affected by Congo’s latest Ebola outbreak have erected checkpoints to restrict population movements, officials said this week, as cases increased slightly and aid workers warned that the response was underfunded.Democratic…

Africa feeding 20 million more children with school meals, WFP says

Sub-Saharan Africa saw the biggest rise in school feeding of any region UNITED NATIONS, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Governments in sub-Saharan Africa have provided school meals to roughly 20 million extra children over the past two years, the World Food Programme (WFP) said, showing a move away from dependence on…

France arrests hundreds as ‘Block Everything’ protests erupt across country

PARIS, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French police arrested hundreds of protesters Wednesday as “Block Everything” demonstrations erupted across the country, with crowds shutting down roads, lighting fires and clashing with authorities.  The government’s interior ministry announced 295 arrests in the first hours of what was a planned day of nationwide demonstrations…

South Africa receives strong support in G20 leadership – President Ramaphosa

CAPE TOWN, Sept 11 (NNN-SANEWS) — President Cyril Ramaphosa has updated the National Assembly on South Africa’s preparations to host the G20 Leaders’ Summit, in Johannesburg, in November. The country will host the leaders’ summit under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, marking the first time an African nation leads the…

Chinese nationals jailed over kidnapping and forced labour in South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Seven Chinese nationals who smuggled Malawians to South Africa and subjected them to forced labour have been handed 20-year prison terms each. The four men and three women were found guilty of human trafficking and kidnapping earlier this year by a South African court. Their…

Children feared among three dead in English Channel crossing attempt

CALAIS (France), Sept 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three people died overnight off the coast of Calais as they attempted to cross the English Channel, French authorities have said. The Prefect of Pas-de-Calais, Laurent Touvet, indicated those who died were likely crushed to the bottom of the boat. He told reporters that…