Two opposition activists handed heavy sentences in Belarus

Belarusian opponents, Attorney Maxim Znak and Maria Kolesnikova MINSK, Sept 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Belarusian court sentenced two prominent opposition activists to long prison terms, demonstrating that the Minsk government continues its harassment of political dissidents.Maria Kolesnikova, head of the Coordinating Council, a body of opposition to the authorities, who…

Tunisian wounded in 2011 Arab Spring sets himself ablaze, says govt failed to compensate him

The deceased suffered gunshot wounds to the head at age 16 TUNIS, Sept 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A young man wounded in Tunisia’s 2011 revolution has burned himself alive after the government failed to provide any compensation, his family said.The self-immolation by 26-year-old Neji Hefiane recalls the death of Mohammed Bouazizi,…

Guinea-Conakry coup chief vows ‘union’ govt, no ‘witch hunt’

Guineans celebrating the removal of Alpha Conde by the military Conakry, Sept 7 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Lieutenant-colonel Mamady Doumbouya, the high-ranking officer behind Guinea-Conakry’s military coup promised to set up a unity government to oversee a transition period and vowed there would be no “witch hunt” against the former government.“A consultation…

Guinea-Bissau triggers prevention mode after coup in neighbouring Guinea-Conakry

Lieutenant-colonel Mamady Doumbouya, the officer behind Guinea-Conakry’s military coup BISSAU, Sept 7 (NNN-ANGOP) — The Guinea-Bissau Armed Forces are on standby “indefinitely” in all military units in the country, by orders of the Chief of the General Staff, Biague Na Ntan, following the coup d’état in neighbouring Guinea-Conakry. The preventive…

Opposition candidate Carlos Vila Nova wins Sao Tome presidency

Carlos Vila Nova SAO TOME, Sept 7 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Opposition candidate Carlos Vila Nova has won the presidency in Sao Tome and Principe, an archipelago in the Gulf of Guinea, according to provisional official results.The Portuguese-speaking nation elected Vila Nova of the centre-right opposition, who will now have to work…

Covid-19: FIFA ‘regrets’ chaos at abandoned Brazil v Argentina World Cup qualifier match

LAUSANNE, Sept 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — FIFA said it regretted the chaotic scenes that preceded the suspension of the World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina and a decision on possible disciplinary action would be taken “in due course”. The match at Sao Paulo’s Neo Quimica Arena on Sunday was halted…

Romania’s governing coalition breaks down

Florin Cîțu BUCHAREST, Sept 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — Romania’s government collapsed late on Monday as the junior USR-Plus party announced the withdrawal of its ministers from the three-party coalition led by the National Liberal Party (PNL) amid a row with Prime Minister Florin Citu. USR-Plus Co-President Dan Barna made the announcement…

Covid-19: Ethiopia receives 108,000 vaccine doses from AVAT mechanism

ADDIS ABABA, Sept 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — Ethiopia received the first shipment of 108,000 Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine doses from the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) mechanism. The vaccine doses were handed over on Monday to Ethiopia at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport by the Africa Centers for Disease…

UN commends release of Gaddafi’s son, other former regime officials in Libya

Saadi Gaddafi TRIPOLI, Sept 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) praised the decision of the Libyan authorities to release Al-Saadi Gaddafi, son of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi who was toppled and killed in 2011, along with other officials of the former regime. “The United…

Covid-19: Cuba to relax pandemic restrictions for incoming travellers

The beachfront at the Meliá Internacional in Varadero, Cuba HAVANA, Sept 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — Cuba is set to relax pandemic border control measures for international passengers starting Nov 15, the island’s Ministry of Tourism (Mintur) announced on its website. “The Caribbean nation will relax COVID-19 hygiene and sanitary protocols for…