Mali leaders join thousands at anti-sanctions rally

BAMAKO, Jan 15 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Malians took to the streets en masse after the military junta called for protests against stringent sanctions imposed by the West Africa bloc ECOWAS over delayed elections. In the capital Bamako, thousands of people wearing the national colours of red, yellow and green gathered in…

US: Blaze near New Jersey chemical plant ‘far from’ under control – Fire chief

Large fire near a New Jersey chemical plant PASSAIC (New Jersey, US), Jan 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A fire near a New Jersey chemical plant with flames and smoke visible for miles in the night sky spread to multiple buildings in the complex Friday, threatening to reach the plant’s chemical storage…

UK: MI5 says Chinese spy operated in plain sight, infiltrated parliament

LONDON, Jan 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) –The MI5, Britain’s domestic intelligence service, has warned MPs that a Chinese agent by the name of Christine Ching Kui Lee has infiltrated Westminster to interfere in UK politics. Beijing has denied the accusations. The alleged spy was said to have “established ties” on behalf of…

Chilean President signs into law Arms Control Bill, after 14 years parliamentary debate

SANTIAGO, Jan 15 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Chile’s President Sebastián Piñera signed into law the Arms Control Bill after nearly 14 years of Parliamentary debate. The new norm regulates the possession, trafficking, and use of firearms in a more strict manner. Piñera claimed this law proposes the total regulation and registration of…

Danish spy scandal: Ex-minister accused of state secrets leak

Claus Hjort Frederiksen was Danish defence minister from 2016-2019 COPENHAGEN, Jan 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A former Danish defence minister, Claus Hjort Frederiksen, said that he had been charged under a law that deals with divulging state secrets. He did not say what he was accused of leaking, but insisted he…

Covid-19: Protests in New York as eviction moratorium due to end

NEW YORK, Jan 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — About 100 protesters turned out in Manhattan to demand the extension of a moratorium on rental evictions in New York state, a day before it was due to end.    The moratorium, granted in spring of 2020 by then governor Andrew Cuomo, has been…

US to hold largest-ever offshore wind farm auction next month

WASHINGTON, Jan 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US government announced it will auction more than 480,000 acres off the coasts of New York and New Jersey to build wind farms as part of its campaign to supply renewable energy to more than 10 million homes by 2030. Offshore wind developers will…

Argentine towns sizzle amid ‘hottest days in history’

BRASILIA, Jan 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Cities and towns in Argentina and neighboring countries in South America have been setting record high temperatures as the region swelters during a historic heat wave. “Practically all of Argentina and also neighboring countries such as Uruguay, southern Brazil and Paraguay are experiencing the hottest…

Italy bids farewell to EU parliament chief at state funeral

ROME, Jan 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy held a state funeral for European Parliament President David Sassoli, with Italian and European Union leaders joining family and friends for a service in a Rome basilica. “I’ve had a good life, an extremely good life, even if a bit complicated, and to end…

Netherlands won’t send diplomatic group to Beijing Olympics

THE HAGUE, Jan 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Netherlands will not send an official diplomatic delegation to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics because of COVID-19 restrictions, a foreign ministry spokesperson said. “Because of the COVID-19 measures in place in China there would only be limited opportunities for (…) bilateral contacts with…