US economic growth slowed in 2019, hit by trade wars

WASHINGTON, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US economy in 2019 expanded by the slowest rate since President Donald Trump took office as worsening trade friction undermined investment and exports, according to new government data released Thursday. The $21 trillion economy grew by 2.3 percent compared to 2018, according to the…

Despite pressure, US renews exemptions for Iran nuclear deal

WASHINGTON, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States extended exemptions to let an internationally backed nuclear deal with Iran go forward, even as it announced new sanctions to step up pressure. President Donald Trump in 2018 pulled out of the accord negotiated by his predecessor Barack Obama, sending tensions soaring…

About 20 killed in fresh DR Congo attack: official, monitor

BENI (DR Congo), Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Up to 24 people were killed Thursday in a fresh attack in DR Congo’s east attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces militia, taking the number of civilians killed over two days to more than 60, officials and a monitor said. Twenty-four bodies were…

Update: China virus death toll hits 213 – govt

BEIJING, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The nationwide death toll in China’s coronavirus outbreak has risen to 213, with nearly 2,000 new cases confirmed, the National Health Commission said on Friday. In its daily update, the commission said 43 new deaths had occurred as a result of the virus, all but…

Mozambique: Militants attack college, torch homes; no casualties

MAPUTO, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Suspected militants have attacked an agriculture college in northern Mozambique.Reports from Cabo Delgado province say the insurgents torched homes and looted shops in Bilibiza, where the college is based.The students were not on campus at the time and there are no reports of any casualties…

UN says Nigeria could lose more than a million children to pneumonia

PARIS, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — About 1.4 million children could die from pneumonia over the next decade in Nigeria, according to the UN.The UN’s children agency Unicef has in its latest forecast said Nigeria could have the world’s highest amount of deaths caused by pneumonia.Overall, Unicef said its forecast estimates…

Financially-troubled South African Airways to cancel more flights

PRETORIA, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South African Airways (SAA) has announced it is cancelling more flights in a bid to “ensure [it] is running efficient flights”.In a statement, the troubled airline said it was cancelling dozens of domestic and international flights next month due to “low demand based on current…

Leprosy still endemic in 18 states in Nigeria – Govt

ABUJA, Jan 31 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — The Nigerian federal government has said that 18 states are currently leprosy endemic, with few cases of the disease also being reported in others. It said Nigeria was among the few countries in the world still reporting above 1000 new cases annually, adding that in…

Zimbabwe govt, EU launch €10m project

HARARE, Jan 31 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — Zimbabwean Government and the European Union officially launched the €10 million Zimbabwe Economic Partnership Agreement Support Project that is expected to boost small to medium scale enterprises. The ZEPA project was officially launched by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Deputy Minister David Musabayana who was…

Coronavirus declared global health emergency by WHO

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus GENEVA, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The new coronavirus has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization, as the outbreak continues to spread outside China.“The main reason for this declaration is not what is happening in China but what is happening…