Serbian police seizes five tons of cannabis, assault rifles

File photo of wrapped cannabis BELGRADE, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Serbian police have seized five tons of marijuana, the biggest such catch in the country so far, after raiding a small agricultural and trade company in a village in central Serbia, Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said.They have arrested two people…

Venezuela interim president announces ‘general amnesty’ law

CAARACAS, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez has announced an amnesty bill that could lead to the release of hundreds of prisoners, her latest major reform since the US military abducted the country’s President Nicolas Maduro and his wife earlier this month. “We have decided to push ahead with a general…

France rescues over 6,000 UK-bound Channel migrants in 2025

LILLE (France), Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French authorities rescued more than 6,000 migrants attempting to reach Britain in small boats last year, while 25 people died and two remain missing, the maritime prefecture said Friday in its annual report. France has long been a launchpad for migrants hoping to cross…

Security Council renews mandate of UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus

Security Council renews mandate of UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus UNITED NATIONS, Jan 31 (NNN-XINHUA) — The UN Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for a year, until Jan. 31, 2027. Resolution 2815 affirms the Security Council’s…

US: 1 dead, 6 missing after fishing vessel sinks off coast of Massachusetts

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 31 (NNN-XINHUA) — One person is dead and six others are missing after a commercial fishing vessel sank off the coast of the U.S. state of Massachusetts on Friday. The U.S. Coast Guard said that watchstanders received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon alert at about 6:50 a.m.…

More than 200 killed in mine collapse in eastern DR Congo: Report

Labourers dig at the Rubaya coltan mine in the town of Rubaya, which is controlled by M23 rebels KINSHASA, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 200 people have been reported killed in a collapse at the Rubaya coltan mine in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Lumumba Kambere Muyisa,…

Burkina Faso junta announces ban on all political parties

Burkina Faso reportedly had more than 100 registered parties before the 2022 coup OUAGADOUGOU, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Burkina Faso’s junta has announced a ban on all political parties, whose activities have been suspended since the military seized power in 2022.Junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré has been criticised for suppressing…

Mali lawmaker jailed in Ivory Coast for insulting president

Hawa Gassama, seen here on a demonstration in 2018, is known for his outspokenness ABIDJAN, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Malian lawmaker has been jailed in neighbouring Ivory Coast for three years for insulting the 84-year-old Ivorian leader, who recently won a fourth term in office.Mamadou Hawa Gassama, who serves…

South Africa and Israel expel each other’s envoys in diplomatic row

South Africa has accused Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice PRETORIA, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa has expelled Israel’s top diplomat in the country for “violating diplomatic norms”, a move that prompted Israel to kick out a South African envoy in retaliation.The diplomatic row started when…

Maersk to take over Panama Canal port operations from HK firm

PANAMA CITY, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Danish firm Maersk will temporarily take over operation of two ports on the Panama Canal from Hong Kong company CK Hutchison, whose concession has been annulled, the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) said Friday. Panama’s Supreme Court on Thursday invalidated Hutchison’s contract following repeated threats…