South Africa welcomes approval of AGOA Extension Bill

PRETORIA, Jan 16 (NNN-SANEWS) — South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) Minister Parks Tau has welcomed the approval of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Extension Bill by the USA House of Representatives. AGOA is critical legislation that allows for eligible sub-Saharan African countries to enjoy…

Chad: at least six killed in fighting between rebel group and armed forces

N’DJAMENA, Jan 15 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Clashes between the Chadian army and the MPRD rebel group have killed at least six people in the country’s south, both sides said Wednesday. The fighting erupted Tuesday morning in Korbol, in the Moyen-Chari region, leaving three soldiers dead and 10 wounded, the army said…

Brazil bank collapse sparks billion dollar seizures in fraud probe

BRASILIA, Jan 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazilian authorities on Wednesday announced the seizure of over $1 billion worth of assets as part of a high-profile fraud probe launched after the collapse of a small private bank. “We may be facing the largest banking fraud in the country’s history,” Finance Minister Fernando…

Update: Greenlanders torn between anxiety and relief after White House talks

NUUK, Jan 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Greenland’s residents expressed a mix of anxiety and relief after a meeting was held Wednesday in the White House between officials from the United States, Denmark and the island at the centre of President Donald Trump’s focus. The foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland, an…

Uganda votes under internet blackout and police crackdown

KAMPALA, Jan 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Uganda was on edge as it headed for elections on Thursday, with President Yoweri Museveni expected to extend his 40-year rule amid an internet shutdown and a police crackdown on the opposition. The local Daily Monitor newspaper ran a full-page spread on how to “election-proof…

Chile’s Pres Boric endorsing Bachelet for UN top post beyond his own term

santiago, Jan 15 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Chile’s outgoing President Gabriel Boric Font confirmed that his administration would formalize the candidacy of former President Michelle Bachelet for Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN). Boric, who is soon to hand over power to President-elect José Antonio Kast of his political antipodes, said that…

UN experts urge US to respect international law over Greenland

GENEVA, Jan 15 (NNN-XINHUA) — United Nations (UN) experts on Wednesday warned that any unilateral attempt to alter Greenland’s status as an autonomous territory of Denmark would not only violate international law, but could also undermine stability in the Arctic region and beyond. In a joint statement, seven UN experts,…

Libya: Mass graves of 21 migrants uncovered in a private farm in eastern Ajdabiya city

TRIPOLI, Jan 15 (NNN-XINHUA) — Libya’s Internal Security Agency (ISA) said its branch in the eastern city of Ajdabiya has uncovered mass graves containing the remains of 21 migrants during a security raid on a private farm, local media reported Wednesday. According to preliminary information cited by the reports, the…

Nigeria, UAE strike trade pact to scrap tariffs on over 7,000 products

President Bola Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the signing ABU DHABI (UAE), Jan 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Nigeria–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was signed on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, with President Bola Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in…

Algeria’s president urges youth living abroad illegally to come home

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune ALGIERS, Jan 15 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has called on Algerian youth living abroad “in vulnerable and illegal situations” to come home.During Sunday’s cabinet meeting, the president said he would regularise the status of these young citizens, including those who have committed minor infractions in…