Seychelles ranked Africa’s least corrupt country – 2022 CPI

Flag of Seychelles BERLIN, Feb 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The 2022 Corruption Perception Index was released earlier this week, showing the world’s most and least corruption nations.The index, which looked at perceptions about corruption in 180 countries of the world, also showed that “most countries are failing to stop corruption.”According to…

Mother, baby among 12 migrants who died crossing to Italy

ROME, Feb 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Twelve migrants have died in the Central Mediterranean, Italian officials and a rescue charity said, as a debate rages over Rome’s crackdown on NGOs operating in the world’s deadliest crossing. Italy’s coastguard recovered the bodies of eight migrants — five men and three women, one of…

Africa: 36.1 million people affected by drought in IGAD region

MOMBASA (Kenya), Feb 3 (NNN-KBC) — About 36.1 million people in the IGAD region have been affected by the current drought situation and are facing heightened levels of food insecurity. The drought is also said to have wiped out an estimated 4.2 million head of livestock, shattering the livelihoods of…

Court ruling: 15 ancient artifacts to return to Greece from Switzerland

ATHENS, Feb 3 (NNN-Xinhua) — A total of 15 ancient Greek artifacts were to be returned to Greece from Switzerland following a court ruling, the Greek culture and sports ministry said. The items were confiscated by authorities in Geneva in the context of criminal proceedings against a well-known antiquities dealer,…

Cuba: Over 40 countries at 31st Havana International Book Fair

HAVANA, Feb 3 (NNN-ACN) — Over 40 countries and some 120 exhibitors will attend the 31st Havana International Book Fair to run Feb 9-19 and having Colombia as guest of honor.In a press conference on Thursday, Cuban Book Institute president Juan Rodriguez said praised the efforts of authors, editors and…

South Africa: Gauteng bolster fight against crime with 6,000 young recruits as crime wardens

JOHANNESBURG, Feb 3 (NNN-SANEWS) — The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) has welcomed some 6,000 crime prevention wardens in an effort to augment crime fighting efforts made by SAPS and Metropolitan Police Departments. The 6,000 recruits – who are young people – will undergo at least three months of training before…

Argentina unveils new 2,000-Peso banknote as inflation bites

 BUENOS AIRES, Feb 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A new 2,000-peso banknote will be issued in Argentina in response to soaring inflation, the country’s central bank (BCRA) has confirmed. The new note – which will be worth $11 officially – comes after consumer prices jumped by nearly 95% in the 12 months…

US: New York returns 14 stolen antiquities to Italy

NEW YORK, Feb 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Authorities in New York announced the return to Italy of 14 antiquities worth an estimated $2.5 million, as part of a criminal investigation into smuggling of stolen artifacts. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office over the past two years has been conducting an extensive campaign…

Mexico invites foreign investment in clean energy transition

PUERTO PEÑASCO (Mexico), Feb 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexico welcomes investment by all countries in its clean energy projects, its foreign minister said, launching a diplomatic charm offensive amid international concerns over controversial power reforms. Several dozen ambassadors were taken on a visit to a giant solar park being built in…

Nicaragua Pres Ortega says North Korea, Iran have right to nukes

MANAGUA, Feb 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega ardently defended the right of Iran and North Korea to develop nuclear weapons, saying the United States holds no authority to turn them back. Ortega made the remarks upon receiving Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. “We don’t love atomic bombs… but…