South Africa: Floodings kill at least 10, triggering the closure of Kruger Park

Floods have killed at least 10 people in South Africa following heavy rainfall PRETORIA, Jan 16 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Flooding triggered by torrential rains in northeastern South Africa claimed at least 10 lives overnight and forced the closure of the iconic Kruger National Park, officials said. The weather service issued the…

Tanzania: ‘We’re friend to all, non-aligned’ – Pres Samia

DODOMA, Jan 16 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared that Tanzania remains a “friend to all and non-aligned but multi-engaged,” positioning the nation as a strategic bridge between the Global West and the Global East. Speaking to Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations during the annual Diplomatic Sherry…

Czech: Babis gov’t wins vote of confidence in lower house

Czech Republic’s Prime Minister Andrej Babis PRAGUE, Jan 16 (NNN-XINHUA) — The coalition government led by ANO party leader Andrej Babis won a vote of confidence in the Czech Chamber of Deputies on Thursday, formally obtaining constitutional legitimacy to govern. The coalition, comprising Babis’ ANO party, the Freedom and Direct…

Spain nabs cocaine ring that used swimmers on high seas

A cargo vessel carrying almost 10 metric tons of cocaine concealed in a shipment of salt is being towed to port in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain MADRID, Jan 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spanish police on Thursday said they had busted a network that saw smugglers swim on the high seas to…

French govt survives two no-confidence votes over trade deal

France’s Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu answers during a session of questions to the government at the National Assembly PARIS, Jan 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Emmanuel Macron’s government survived two no-confidence votes in parliament linked to criticism of an EU trade deal that has upset farmers. Neither move from the far…

Venezuelan acting president calls for oil industry reforms to attract foreign investment

Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodriguez (C) CARACAS, Jan 16 (NNN-XINHUA) — Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodriguez on Thursday called on the legislature to approve an oil industry reform plan to attract foreign investment and promote the country’s economic recovery. In her annual report to the legislature on behalf of the…

Russia expels British diplomat for alleged spying, London mulling response

A flag flies above the British embassy in Moscow MOSCOW, Jan 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia on Thursday expelled a British diplomat it said was an undeclared spy, but London said such “malicious and baseless” accusations undermined the basic conditions needed for embassies to operate and said it was considering a…

UN: Sec-Gen Guterres’s last annual speech slams world leaders for lack of cooperation

United Nations Sec-Gen Antonio Guterres UNITED NATIONS, Jan 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has lashed out at world leaders he accused of turning their backs on international cooperation amid “self-defeating geopolitical divides” and “brazen violations of international law”.Addressing the UN General Assembly on Thursday, the UN secretary-general…

Madagascar military receives equipment and training from Russia

ANTANANARIVO, Jan 16 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — As Madagascar continues its political transition after the ouster of the previous government, it is strengthening cooperation with Russia.Moscow is supplying military equipment to the Indian Ocean nation and has sent a delegation to train armed forces in its use, the Malagasy presidency said.The training…

Kenya secures zero-duty access to China

The Eaubonne bulk carrier ship docks in the port of Mombasa, Kenya NAIROBI, Jan 16 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) –Kenya has secured zero-duty access for almost all its exports to China in a preliminary deal, its trade minister said, as Nairobi seeks to offset the impact of higher US tariffs.The Kenya-China deal aims…