Macron calls for ‘new pact’ with Algeria in reconciliation visit

French President Emmanuel Macron (C), Algerian Foreign Affairs Minister Ramtane Lamamra (C-L) and imam of the Great Mosque of Algiers Mohamed Mamoun El-Kacimi El-Hassani (C-R) visit the Great Mosque of Algiers ALGIERS, Aug 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French President Emmanuel Macron called for a “new pact” with Algeria and “truth and…

South Sudan diplomat recalled from US over ‘alleged rape’

JUBA/NEW YORK, Aug 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Sudan’s foreign ministry said it has recalled a US-based diplomat after “an alleged rape incident” in New York City, suspending the official until an ongoing investigation is completed. “It is with regret that our diplomat was involved in an alleged rape incident with……

Update: Seven killed in Tigray airstrike, Ethiopia denies targeting civilians

ADDIS ABABA, Aug 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An air strike on a children’s play area killed at least seven people in the capital of Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region on Friday, medical officials there said, the first such attack after a four-month old ceasefire collapsed this week. The officials said three children were…

Central African Republic’s president orders constitution rewrite

BANJUI, Aug 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Central African Republic’s President Faustin Archange Touadera ordered the creation of a committee to rewrite the constitution, following fears he wants to seek a third term in office. The 65-year-old was first elected in 2016, then re-elected in a highly controversial poll in 2020,…

Belgium: Van driver hits Brussels cafe terrace, injuring six

Damage is seen at the site where a van drove into a cafe terrace in central Brussels BRUSSELS, Aug 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A van driver ploughed through a crowded cafe terrace in Brussels’ city centre shopping and tourism district on Friday, lightly wounding six people before escaping the scene. Belgium’s…

At least 17 dead in Uganda after drinking toxic liquor

KAMPALA, Aug 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 17 people have died and several others were taken to hospital after consuming toxic liquor from a roadside kiosk in northern Uganda, a senior official said. The victims in the city of Arua had consumed a local gin named City 5 that contained…

US to return US$23 million looted by late dictator Abacha to Nigeria—officials

The late Gen. Sani Abacha ABUJA, Aug 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States will turn over to Nigeria $23 million taken by former military ruler Sani Abacha, officials said at an event to sign the agreement on Tuesday.Nigeria has reached several agreements to return stolen cash in recent years. Abacha…

UN session on high seas biodiversity ends without agreement

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UN member states ended two weeks of negotiations without a treaty to protect biodiversity in the high seas, an agreement that would have addressed growing environmental and economic challenges. “Although we did make excellent progress we still do need a little bit more time…

Mexico lures visitors on new age tourism trail

TEPOZTLAN (Mexico), Aug 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — With restorative rituals, yoga retreats and psychedelic experiences, Mexico has become a magnet for spiritually minded tourists seeking an alternative vacation far from the troubles of the modern world. While many visitors head straight to the beach, a different type of tourist chooses the…

Russia blocks adoption at UN of nuclear disarmament text

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia on Friday prevented the adoption of a joint declaration following a four-week UN conference on a nuclear disarmament treaty, with Moscow denouncing what it said were “political” aspects of the text. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which 191 signatories review every five years,…