Fewer French protest against pension reform during 5th general strike

PARIS, Feb 17 (NNN-XINHUA) — Some 440,000 people across France demonstrated on Thursday against the government’s pension reform project, the French Ministry of Interior said. However, compared with the four general strikes held since Jan 19, Thursday’s nationwide demonstration had the lowest participation rate, given the fact that a large…

Former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica honored by UN for promoting peace in Colombia

MONTEVIDEO, Feb 17 (NNN-XINHUA) — Former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica was honored by the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia for his contribution to Colombia’s peace process. “We did nothing other than what we had to do,” Mujica said at a Thursday ceremony held at the University of the Republic…

Venezuela seizes 47 tons of drugs in 2022

CARACAS, Feb 17 (NNN-XINHUA) — Venezuelan authorities seized a total of 47 tons of drugs during 2022, the head of Venezuela’s National Anti-Drug Superintendence (Sunad) Richard Lopez Vargas said. The official detailed in an interview for state-owned Venezolana de Television that already this year, more than two tons of drugs…

Nigeria to deploy over 300,000 police personnel for general elections: official

ABUJA, Feb 17 (NNN-XINHUA) — Nigerian police will deploy a total of 310,973 personnel across the country for security operations during the general elections scheduled to be held on Feb 25, Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba said. The deployment will cover the National Collation Center in Abuja, where…

Donation of wheats: Gesture of solidarity confirms historic ties between Cuba and Russia

HAVANA, Feb 17 (NNN-ACN) — Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla thanked the Russian people and government for a donation of 25,000 tons of wheat.The official described the donation as a gesture of solidarity that confirms the historic ties of fraternity between Russia and Cuba.The foreign minister accompanied his tweet…

DRCongo-Rwanda conflict: Rwanda accuses DR Congo soldiers of attack on army border post

KIGALI/KINSHASA, Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Rwanda’s army has said its troops briefly exchanged fire with soldiers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo at a border post, as tension continues to spike between the neighbours.In a statement, Kigali said that 12 to 14 Congolese soldiers entered the neutral zone near…

US sends strong delegation to African Union summit in Addis

AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia WASHINGTON/ADDIS ABABA, Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US is sending a strong delegation of special envoys to Addis Ababa this week for the annual African Union Summit (Feb 18-19) in the Ethiopian capital, as it seeks role in the continent’s matters.The Department of State…

Ugandan president accuses Europe of wanting to impose homosexuality in the country

Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni KAMPALA, Feb 17 (NNN-GNA) — The Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, on Thursday accused Europe of wanting to “impose” homosexuality in the African country, where Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ) are persecuted and suffer many stigmas.Museveni was speaking during a rally to mark the…

South Africa: Cabinet expresses condolences to families of flood victims

CAPE TOWN, Feb 17 (NNN-SANEWS) — The South African Cabinet has expressed condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in the recent devastating floods, which recently hit several parts of the country. “We thank our emergency and rescue services across the country who have worked tirelessly to save…

South Africa energy crisis: Minister of Electricity to focus solely on resolving load shedding – Pres Ramaphosa

PRETORIA, Feb 17 (NNN-SANEWS) — South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa says the proposed Minister of Electricity will assume “full responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the electricity crisis response” and will drive the action of the National Energy Crisis Committee to end load shedding “as a matter of urgency”. The…