Pope calls on church leaders in South Sudan to challenge injustice

Pope Francis was welcomed by Christians in Juba JUBA, Feb 5 (NNN-GNA) — Pope Francis has been trying to console the long-suffering people of South Sudan as he opened his first full day in the country on Saturday.Meeting with bishops, priests and deacons at St Theresa’s Cathedral in Juba, he…

South Africa: ‘No immediate crisis’ on expiry of nuclear agreement with US, says Energy Dept

PRETORIA, Feb 5 (NNN-SANEWS) — South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) says there is “no immediate crisis” with regards to the expiry of a nuclear agreement with the United States of America (USA). This as the South Africa and USA Nuclear Cooperation Agreement expired in December last…

US shoots down suspected Chinese spy balloon with a single missile

WASHINGTON, Feb 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US military fighter aircraft shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon as it floated off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday, drawing to a close a dramatic saga that shone a spotlight on worsening Sino-US relations. “We successfully took it down, and I want to compliment our…

Chile wildfires: Death toll in forest fires rises to 16 – Official

CONCEPCION (Chile), Feb 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The death toll in forest fires raging through southern Chile has risen overnight to 16, officials said. That raised the number of deaths by three from the toll announced late Friday. Eleven of the deaths were in the town of Santa Juana, in Concepcion…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: 500,000 households in Ukraine’s Odesa without power after accident at electrical substation

KYIV, Feb  5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An accident at a electrical substation, already damaged by Russian strikes, has left half a million households without power in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa, authorities said Saturday. “The situation is complex, the scale of the accident is significant,” Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said…

Austrian avalanches leave three dead

VIENNA, Feb  5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A series of avalanches in Austria has left three people dead since Friday, as the ski season gets into full swing, with authorities warning of the risks posed by a particularly unstable snow cover. “One winter sports enthusiast was killed in an avalanche in Kaltenbach…

UN Security Council renews call for M23 rebels to withdraw from occupied areas in DR Congo

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 4 (NNN-XINHUA) — The United Nations (UN) Security Council on Friday renewed its call for the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels to withdraw from all occupied areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and requested the disarmament of all armed groups. In a press statement,…

Haiti: Seven gang members killed in police raid

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Feb 4 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Seven gang members were killed amid clashes with Haitian Police (PNH) after Operation Tornado 1 being announced to curb national insecurity.     A week after law enforcement officers started off their operations, one assault rifle and four pistols were seized, and police were able to…

Brazil political crisis: Police forces under investigation for Jan 8 coup events

BRASILIA, Feb 4 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — The Secretary of Public Security of the Federal District (DF), Sandro Avelar, affirmed that the police forces deployed to contain the coup attempt last January 8th are being investigated to determine failures and possible omissions.     “In 2013, there were several episodes with protesters in…

Guyana approves millions in fund to modernize health sector

GEORGETOWN, Feb 4 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — The Guyana National Assembly approved millions in fund to modernize the health sector in 2023, including the intensive training of personnel in view of the deficit in some areas at present.     The Ministry of Health will recruit and train those interested in the different…