France suspends aid to Burkina Faso

PARIS, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France is suspending development aid and budgetary assistance to Burkina Faso, its foreign ministry announced. The statement comes days after Burkina Faso and Mali announced that they would consider any military intervention against the new military rulers in Niger as a “declaration of war”. The…

Stranded migrants saved, but dozens missing off Italy in rough seas

 ROME, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 30 migrants are missing following two shipwrecks off the Italian island of Lampedusa, according to survivor testimony, as rescuers on Sunday winched to safety 34 others stranded on the rocks by rough seas. Around 28 people were reported lost at sea by survivors…

Families face starvation over insecurity in DRC-Uganda border

Ugandan merchants arrive at the Mpondwe check point to cross the border to Congo KINSHASA, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Several residents near the Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border in the Kasese District face starvation due to insecurity caused by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels.According to the residents, many…

AU mission sticks to Somalia exit plan as Shabaab hit Kenya

Security forces take security measures at the area after bomb attack MOGADISHU, Aug 7 (NNN-GNA) — The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (Atmis) is keeping its exit plan, preparing a pool of another 3,000 troops to leave the country as part of a long-term rebuilding plan for Mogadishu.But that…

South Africa: Minister reflects on Energy Action Plan implementation

PRETORIA, Aug 7 (NNN-SANEWS) — Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says at least half of the actions set out in the Energy Action Plan (EAP) are either completed or on track. The EAP was introduced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in July last year and thrashes…

Senegal opposition leader on hunger strike hospitalised: lawyer

 DAKAR, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Jailed Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, on hunger strike since shortly after his arrest last month, was admitted to hospital in Dakar Sunday, his lawyer and supporters said. His party, PASTEF, said in a statement that he had been admitted for emergency care, which was…

Niger closes air space citing ‘threat of intervention’

 NIAMEY, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Niger’s military rulers announced Sunday that they had closed the country’s airspace, warning that any attempt to violate it would meet with an “energetic and immediate response”. “Faced with the threat of intervention, which is becoming clearer through the preparation of neighbouring countries, Niger’s airspace…

Ten dead migrants wash ashore in Tunisia

TUNIS, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The bodies of 10 migrants have been found on a beach in Tunisia, near the city of Sfax which has seen a spike this year in Europe-bound sea crossings, authorities said. Tunisia has become a major gateway for irregular migrants and asylum seekers primarily from…

Italian most dangerous fugitive Vincenzo La Porta caught in thanks to football photo

ATHENS, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — One of Italy’s most dangerous fugitives has been caught in Greece after a photo of him cheering on his football team gave away his whereabouts. Vincenzo La Porta, 60, is thought to have close ties to the Camorra organised crime gang in Naples. He has been…

Peru: Exports might have totaled US$30.890 billion as of June 2023

LIMA, Aug 7 (NNN-ANDINA) — During the first half of 2023, Peruvian exports amounted to US$30.890 billion, a slight decrease of 1.5% compared to the same period in 2022, according to the Lima Chamber of Commerce (CCL). The guild specified that this slight drop was partly due to lower shipments…