South Africa energy crisis: Eskom teams working to reduce higher load shedding stages

PRETORIA, April 16 (NNN-SANEWS) — South Africa power utility, Eskom, says it is working hard to address the causes of persistent breakdowns at power stations and ensure that the higher stages of load shedding are reduced. This as the power utility implemented Stage 6 load shedding this week going into…

US: Abortion rights activists protest at Supreme Court

WASHINGTON, April 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hundreds of abortion rights activists protested in Washington on Saturday after a ruling by a federal judge in Texas aimed at curtailing nationwide access to a widespread abortion drug. The protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court building, chanting “Judges are not doctors,” and “Keep abortion…

Poland, Hungary ban Ukraine grain to protect local farms

WARSAW, April 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Poland and Hungary banned imports of grain and other food from Ukraine to protect local farmers, officials from both countries said. Ukraine’s grain exports have been transiting through the European Union to other countries since the war-torn nation’s traditional Black Sea routes were blocked by…

At least 12 inmates killed in Ecuador prison clashes

GUAYAQUIL (Ecuador), April 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 12 inmates were killed in clashes that broke out in a prison in the Ecuadoran port of Guayaquil, the prosecutor’s office said Saturday, the latest deadly violence to rock the city’s penitentiary system. The dozen inmate deaths occurred after a bloody confrontation…

Gunmen kill 7 people at water park in central Mexico: City Hall

CELAYA (Mexico), April 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A band of gunmen invaded a resort where dozens of vacationers were spending the weekend in central Mexico and opened fire, killing six adults and a 7-year-old, authorities said. Officials in the Cortazar municipality in Guanajuato state said in a statement that an eighth…

Germany ends nuclear era as last reactors power down

 The nuclear power plant Isar in Essenbach near Landshut, southern Germany BERLIN, April 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Germany switched off its last three nuclear reactors on Saturday, exiting atomic power even as it seeks to wean itself off fossil fuels and manage an energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine.…

France: Pres Macron signs pension reform into law despite protests

PARIS, April 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French President Emmanuel Macron signed his controversial pension reform into law Saturday, prompting accusations from unions and the left he was showing “contempt” towards those behind a three-month protest movement. The alterations became law after the text was published before dawn in France’s official journal, with…

Montana Tiktok ban is first passed by any US state

HELENA (Montana, US), April 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Montana has become the first US state to pass legislation banning TikTok on personal devices. TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has been accused of posing a national security risk through data gathered from users. If signed into law by Governor Greg…

Deadly fighting rocks Sudan as army battles paramilitaries

 KHARTOUM, April 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three civilians died in battles between Sudanese paramilitaries and the regular army, which said it launched air strikes against them, sparking global concern days after the army warned the country was at a “dangerous” turning point. The paramilitaries said they were in control of the…

Chile: 40-hour working week signed into law

SANTIAGO, April 15 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font signed into law the bill creating the 40-hour working week, which had been one of his campaigns promises .“We are taking a step forward for the welfare of working men and women”, said Boric during a promulgation ceremony at the…