Kenya’s drought situation remains dire, says CS Miano

NAIROBI, March 22 (NNN-KBC) — The drought situation in Kenya is still dire with Marsabit and Turkana counties sliding into an emergency. Nine other counties are in the alarm stage while 11 others are in the alert phase. “This is because of five consecutive failed rains. The last time this…

Brazil: 30% of top state jobs to go to people of colour – decree

BRASILIA, March 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 30 percent of appointed positions in Brazil’s federal government must be occupied by black and mixed-race people, according to a decree signed by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Lula, who returned for his third presidential term in January, has vowed to make…

Venezuelan FM says ties with Brazil “steadily advancing”

CARACAS, March 22 (NNN-XINHUA) — The new stage in Venezuela-Brazil ties is “steadily advancing,” Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said. Gil made the remarks after speaking with his Brazilian counterpart Mauro Vieira, hailing the conversation as “excellent” on social media. According to Brazil’s Foreign Ministry, Gil and Vieira welcomed the…

Namibia celebrates 33 years of independence

OUTAPI (Namibia), March 22 (NNN-XINHUA) — Namibian President Hage Geingob urged people to remain vigilant and combat various obstacles in an ever-changing world for the country to successfully navigate its course toward prosperity. The president made the remarks at the 33rd independence anniversary celebrations held at Outapi, a town in…

Ugandan Parliament Passes Bill To Jail Gay People

KAMPALA, March 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Uganda’s parliament has passed a bill which would criminalise people who identify as gay, or a sexual minority. Individuals could face lengthy prison terms if the bill is signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni. Under the proposed legislation, friends, family and members of the…

US: Ghost lake set to reappear as California hit again by rain

CORCORAN (California, US), March 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A lake that dried up 80 years ago looked set on Tuesday to reappear, as monster rainfall accumulated over California’s wet winter season overwhelms the state’s rivers. Even as spring appeared in the northern hemisphere, there was no let-up for America’s most populous…

Greek prime minister announces May elections after rail disaster

ATHENS, March 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that the country would hold a general election in May, as his government faces widespread anger over a train disaster that killed 57 people in February. “I can tell you with certainty that the elections will take place in…

Meeting of Putin, Xi Jinping over, Chinese leader leaves Kremlin

MOSCOW, March 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Chinese President Xi Jinping left the Kremlin around 9 p.m. Moscow time on Tuesday after a day of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting lasted for about six hours.   During this time, Putin and Xi Jinping held negotiations within both the limited circle…

President of Ecuador authorizes aid for earthquake victims

QUITO, March 22 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — The President of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, signed two decrees so as to contribute to the recovery of the victims of last Saturday’s earthquake, which left 14 deaths and 489 injured.     One of the documents formalizes the state of emergency in 14 provinces, as a…

Uruguayan unions get ready for strike against pension reform

MONTEVIDEO, March 22 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Unions that are part of the Uruguayan PIT-CNT central union are getting ready to participate in the general strike of March 23 under the slogan ‘Against the government’s pension reform’.     The protest will include a concentration in front of the promenade of the University…