DR Congo and Israeli tycoon reach $2bn settlement over oil and mining assets

Dan Gertler’s alliance with ex-President Kabila saw him become a Congolese diplomat KINSHASA, March 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Lucrative oil and mining permits are to be put up for sale in the Democratic Republic of Congo, after the government reached a deal with the controversial Israeli businessman who owned them. Dan Gertler…

US: Supreme Court reimposes death penalty for Boston bomber

Bombs were planted near the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon BOSTON, March 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Supreme Court has re-imposed the death sentence for convicted Boston marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, reversing an earlier appeals court ruling to void it. Justices voted 6-3 to reject defence claims Tsarnaev’s 2015…

US: 7 dead, including 2 children, as major tornado hits Iowa

Deadly tornado hits Iowa DES MOINES (Iowa, US), March 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Seven people, including two children, were killed when a powerful tornado ripped across central Iowa on Saturday.   One person was killed near Chariton, Iowa, Lucas County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Lamb said on Sunday. The Madison County Emergency…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Presidents Macron, Putin hold new telephone talks lasting 1 hour 45 minutes; Putin also receive an hour call from Turkish Pres Erdogan

 PARIS, March 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday held new telephone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Elysee said. The call, which a presidential official said lasted 1 hour 45 minutes and was at Macron’s request, was the fourth time they…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Ukraine’s Pres Zelensky says held phone call with US Pres Biden

 KYIV/WASHINGTON, March 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he spoke by phone with his US counterpart Joe Biden on Sunday to discuss financial support and sanctions against Russia. “As part of the constant dialogue, I had another conversation with @POTUS,” Zelensky tweeted. “The agenda included the issues…

Covid-19: South Africa may destroy 100,000 doses by end-March due to slow uptake

PRETORIA, March 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — About 100,000 doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine are at risk of being destroyed by the end of this month due to slow uptake by citizens, South African health authorities said on Friday.South Africa has recorded the most coronavirus infections and deaths on the African continent,…

Mali-France deteriorating relations: France recalls its administrators from Mali

French President Emmanuel Macron and Mali’s transitional leader Assimi Goïta PARIS/BAMAKO, March 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — After Paris announced the withdrawal of its troops from Mali on Feb 17, along with the re-organisation of its military force Barkhane, and of the European Force “Takuba”, the country has now decided to freeze…

Cameroon says separatist rebel bomb kills 7 including mayor, officials

YOUNDE, March 4 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — Anglophone separatists in Cameroon have claimed responsibility for an attack that killed seven people, including a senior official and a mayor. Cameroon’s military says the officials were on a tour to raise support against the rebels when a homemade bomb hit their car. The government…

Subdued in Nigeria, Boko Haram shifts attacks to neighbouring countries – Report

ABUJA, March 4 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — The 2022 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report has some cheery news about Nigeria – attacks by the deadly terror group, Boko Haram, appears to have declined in the country, as the group is now preoccupied with attacks on neighbouring West African countries. Nigeria has also gone…

Uruguayan hotels 70-90% full during Carnival weekend

MONTEVIDEO, March 4 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Occupancy at Uruguay’s hotels has been between 70 and 90% during the just ended Carnival weekend, which represented a recovery from a bad Summer season for the leisure industry. Upon releasing the data, Tourism Minister Tabaré Viera said the new figures showed a “slow recovery.”…