Sierra Leone president in Guinea, meets junta leader over security co-operation

President Maada Bio with Guinea junta leader Mamady Doumbouya in Conakry CONAKRY, Oct 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sierra Leone president Julius Maada Bio became the first West African President to hold bilateral talks with the Guinea junta. Maada Bio, himself a former junta leader turned democratic president, was in Conakry over…

Algeria court jails brother of deposed president Bouteflika

  ALGIERS, Oct 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The powerful younger brother of deposed late Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika was sentenced to two years in prison for “obstructing the course of justice”, the official APS news agency reported.   President Bouteflika was forced to resign in the face of mass protests against…

US shooting: Two postal employees shot dead at post office; shooter commit suicide

  MEMPHIS (Tennessee, US), Oct 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two US Postal Service employees were shot dead Tuesday in a gun attack at a Tennessee post office, authorities said.   The suspected shooter opened fire at the East Lamar Carrier Annex in Memphis and then died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.…

Pro-Iran groups denounce Iraq election as ‘scam’

A poster depicting Iraqi Shiah Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whose party was the biggest winner in initial election results, in the Sadr City district of Baghdad BAGHDAD, Oct 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two days after Iraq’s legislative election, pro-Iranian Shiite Muslim parties and armed groups denounced early poll results as “manipulation”…

Storms force Hong Kong to shutter twice in a week

People are seen on the harbour front in Tsim Sha Tsui as Hong Kong ground to a halt on for the second time in less than a week as the Tropical Cyclone Kompasu approaches HONG KONG, Oct 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hong Kong battened down for the second time in less…

India’s biggest port operator to shun cargo from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran following seizures of heroin

Workers wait for a cargo ship to beach at Mundra Port in Gujarat NEW DELHI, Oct 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — India’s largest port operator has said it will not handle cargo from Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan from next month following the seizure of almost three tonnes of heroin. Adani Ports, part…

G20 leaders agree to step up Afghan humanitarian effort

A boy sells bread at a makeshift shelter for displaced Afghan families, at Shahr-e Naw park, in Kabul ROME, Oct 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — G20 leaders agreed to work together to avoid a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan, as the EU pledged a €1 billion aid package and host Italy stressed the need…

Covid-19 curbs in Sydney could ease early amid surge in vaccinations

Shoppers wait to get inside stores with limited capacity at a city centre mall as businesses re-open to vaccinated patrons  SYDNEY, Oct 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — New South Wales could ease more restrictions in Sydney a week earlier than planned on Oct 18 as Australia’s most populous state races towards its…

Covid-19: US to open border with Canada starting in early November

The United States border crossing is seen in Lacolle, Quebec WASHINGTON, Oct 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States will open its border with Canada to vaccinated Canadians starting in early November, three US lawmakers said. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has confirmed the plans, US Senate Majority Leader…

US considering options for responding to crisis in northern Ethiopia: State Department

WASHINGTON, Oct 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States is considering the full range of tools at its disposal, including the use of economic sanctions, to respond to the worsening crisis in northern Ethiopia, State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters. Ethiopia’s national army launched a ground offensive against forces from…