France: Pres Macron holds crisis meeting as more protests loom

PARIS, March 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Emmanuel Macron summoned government ministers for a crisis meeting, as tensions ran high a day before another major day of strikes and protests against his pension reforms. Nearly two weeks after Macron rammed the new law through parliament using a special provision sidestepping any…

At least 16 dead in Ecuador landslide

 QUITO, March 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 16 people have died in a landslide in the south of Ecuador caused by months of heavy rainfall, the government said. The mudslide happened late on Sunday night, burying dozens of homes, injuring 16 people and affecting around 500, the Risk Management Secretariat…

Another boat sinks off Tunisia, killing 19 African asylum seekers

Tunisian coast guards stand next to the covered bodies of refugees and migrants in the port of Sfax, central Tunisia TUNIS, March 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 19 refugees and migrants from sub-Saharan Africa have drowned off the coast of Tunisia while trying to cross the Mediterranean and reach Italy,…

Vatican returns Parthenon fragments to Greece

 ATHENS, March 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — – Three fragments of Athens’ Parthenon temple, kept by the Vatican for centuries, were returned to Greece on Friday in what Pope Francis has called a gesture of friendship. “The gifting of the fragments of the Parthenon, which have been held in the Vatican Museums…

Uganda to deploy troops to DR Congo this month

Ugandan and DRC army officials during a past meeting at Virunga National Park near Semuliki KAMPALA, March 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Uganda will deploy 1,000 soldiers to conflict-torn eastern Democratic Republic of Congo this month, as part of a regional military force, a Ugandan army officer announced. M23 rebels have seized…

Kenya: President Ruto leaves for a four-day State Visit to Germany and Belgium

NAIROBI, March 26 (NNN-KBC) — President William Ruto will depart the country Sunday for a four-day visit to the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Belgium. In Berlin, the President will meet President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in talks aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between…

Former Brazilian President Rousseff to chair BRICS Bank

BRASILIA, March 26 (NNN-AGENCIA BRASIL) — Former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has been elected Friday to head the New Development Bank (NDB), also known as the BRICS Bank to replace Marcos Troyjo, who had held the post since July 2020. Rousseff will remain at the helm of the Shanghai-based financial…

King of Spain ponders intensifying ties in Latin America

SANTO DOMINGO, March 26 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — The King of Spain, Felipe VI, pondered the need to intensify ties in Latin America, while calling for a closer relationship with the European Union (EU).     His Majesty fulfilled a busy schedule during the 28th Ibero-American Summit in this capital, which the head…

US: Death toll in chocolate factory explosion rises to three

WASHINGTON, March 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The death toll from an explosion at a chocolate factory in the US state of Pennsylvania rose to three Saturday with four people missing, local officials said, as rescuers raced against the clock to find survivors. Crews were still removing debris and rubble following the…

Hundreds of Chadian rebels pardoned over ruler’s death: official

N’DJAMENA, March 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A group of 380 rebels handed life sentences over the 2021 death of former ruler Idriss Deby Itno have been pardoned, a statement from the president’s office said Saturday. More than 400 rebels had been sentenced Tuesday following a mass trial for “acts of terrorism,…