Sudanese government reiterates commitment to national peace as talks underway

KHARTOUM, Dec 12 (NNN-Xinhua) — Deputy Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council Mohamed Hamdan Daqlu has reiterated Sudanese government’s commitment to achieving peace in the country, the council said. A new round of peace talks began in South Sudan’s capital Juba on Tuesday between the Sudanese government and armed groups. Daqlu…

Eskom works to restore power after South Africa floods as mines reopen

JOHANNESBURG, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South African state power utility Eskom scaled back power cuts on Wednesday, providing relief to mining companies that were able to restart operations hit earlier this week by the worst blackouts in a decade. A week of heavy rains across parts of South Africa has…

General election: Voters to head to polls across the UK

LONDON, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UK go to the polls on Thursday for the country’s third general election in less than five years.The contest, the first to be held in December in nearly 100 years, follows those in 2015 and 2017.Polling stations in 650 constituencies across England, Wales, Scotland…

Measles vaccination team in Cameroon attacked, motives questioned

YAOUNDE, Dec 12 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — Members of measles vaccination teams in southern Cameroon have been attacked and beaten by locals who say the serums triggered side effects that sent 12 children to local hospitals.Many rural Cameroonians distrust vaccination campaigns, which have been organized as part of a national initiative to…

Refugees in Botswana return home to Zimbabwe, but face bleak future

GABORONE, Dec 12 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — Botswana has repatriated 135 Zimbabwean refugees, the majority who fled political persecution at the height of a violent and deadly 2008 presidential election. Some of the 700 refugees still remain in camp, reluctant to return home, citing fears of political persecution.The refugees feel they are…

Ghana: Court orders three teacher unions to call off strike immediately

ACCRA, Dec 12 (NNN-GNA) — Ghana’s Industrial and Labour Court (High Court Division) has ordered three teacher unions to immediately call off their strike over the payment of Legacy Arrears. The three unions, whose members are under the Ghana Education Service (GES), are the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT),…

Greta Thunberg named Time Person Of The Year for 2019

 MADRID, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Greta Thunberg, the Swedish schoolgirl who inspired a global movement to fight climate change, has been named Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2019. The 16-year-old is the youngest person to be chosen by the magazine in a tradition that started in 1927. Last…

EU leader urges MEPs to back green growth plan

BRUSSELS, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The EU’s top official Wednesday launched the bloc’s new “Green Deal”, hailing it as a strategy for jobs and economic growth, not just for cutting emissions. Unveiling the plan to the European Parliament, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also warned against the steep…

Three killed in plane crash in Canada

The Transportation Safety Board said there is a ‘significant debris field’ at the site of Tuesday’s crash on B.C.’s Gabriola Island OTTAWA, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three people were killed when a small airplane crashed on Gabriola Island, Canada Tuesday night, CTV reported Wednesday. The twin-engine Piper Aerostar plane, took…

US warns N.Korea of consequences for ‘Christmas gift’

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States on Wednesday warned North Korea of consequences if it makes good on threats of a spectacular weapons test in the New Year, while offering flexibility if it stays in talks. Frustrated by the lack of sanctions relief after three summits with…