Kenya presidency rules out default as cash crunch delays salaries

Kenyan president William Ruto NAIROBI, April 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya will not default on its debt repayment obligations, the president’s chief economic adviser said, as civil service salaries were delayed due to a cash squeeze caused by enormous interest payments.The debt burden, compounded by a weakening local currency and international…

Panic as unidentified people board Singaporean tanker off Ivory Coast

ABIDJAN, April 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Singapore-registered oil tanker has been boarded by “unidentified persons” about 300 nautical miles (555km) off Ivory Coast in the Gulf of Guinea, the city-state’s port authority said.The Gulf of Guinea was long known as a hotspot for global piracy, with insurance firm Beazley offering…

Tanker unloads Russian crude in Ghana after 6-week wait

Crude oil tanker ACCRA, April 13 (NNN-GNA) — The tanker Theseus offloaded its cargo of Russian crude into storage tanks at Ghana’s Tema oil refinery over the weekend, after being anchored full off the port since Feb 24 as it awaited permission to dock.Vessel-tracking data showed the ship left its…

South Africa: Pres Ramaphosa meets business leaders ahead of Investment Conference

PRETORIA, April 13 (NNN-SANEWS) — President Cyril Ramaphosa has met with business leaders from key sectors of the economy ahead of Thursday’s South African Investment Conference (SAIC) in Johannesburg. At a media briefing on the President’s upcoming engagements, Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said economic interventions, economic growth and job creation…

Germany revamps cannabis plan after opposition

BERLIN, April 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Germany has scrapped plans to allow the widespread sale of cannabis in licensed stores for the time being following EU concerns, the government said. Berlin had announced in October proposals to introduce some of Europe’s most liberal cannabis laws. But on Wednesday the coalition government…

Brazil Pres Lula arrives in China for state visit

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (R) posing for a picture with China’s Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng (L) after arriving in Shanghai SHANGHAI/BRASILIA, April 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived late on Wednesday in China for an official visit aimed at boosting already deep ties…

Brazilian Pres Lula in Beijing to meet Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping; both want to prop their countries international standings

BEIJING, April 12 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Brazilian president Lula da Silva begins Tuesday a four day official visit to China, hosted by Xi Jinping at a time when both leaders have great foreign policy plans: Lula wants Brazil back in the grand chessboard and Xi is intent in trying to present…

Tanzania is safe for tourists, says ministry

DAR ES SALAAM, April 12 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — NATURAL Resources and Tourism Ministry has assured visitors and tourism stakeholders that Tanzania is safe from Marburg Virus Disease (MVD). The assurance comes following a statement which was issued by the Ministry of Health on April 4 indicating that Tanzania has successfully controlled…

Five Niger soldiers die in desert attack on gold convoy

AGADEZ (Niger), April 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gunmen killed five Niger army troops protecting a convoy of gold miners in the remote north of the country near Algeria, a security source said. The armed assailants mingled with the convoy before opening fire on the military escorts on Sunday, the source said.…

US gun violence: D.C. funeral home shooting leaves 1 dead, 3 injured

WASHINGTON, April 12 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — One man died and three other people were hurt in a shooting Tuesday at a funeral home in Northeast D.C., police say.     A funeral for a homicide victim had just ended at the Stewart Funeral Home in the 4400 block of Benning Road NE…