Update: Libya’s east-based army says its attack on Turkish ship aims to “prevent terrorists”

TRIPOLI, Feb 20 (NNN-Xinhua) — A spokesman of the east-based army of Libya said that the army hit a Turkish ship in the capital Tripoli’s seaport to combat terrorism. “… we targeted weapons and ammunition being brought to Tripoli seaport,” Ahmad al-Mismari told a press conference in the eastern city…

Brazilian senator shot after confrontation with striking police

RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazilian Senator Cid Gomes was shot in the chest in the northeastern Brazilian state of Ceara on Wednesday, as he tried to intervene in a strike by military police demanding higher salaries. Gomes, a former governor of Ceara state, opposed the strike and…

German government passes law against right-wing extremism, hate crime on internet

BERLIN, Feb 20 (NNN-Xinhua) — The German government passed a law to combat serious cases of right-wing extremism and hate crime on the internet. Social networks in Germany now have to report certain postings to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), according to the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer…

Mexican president says foreign investors keen to boost stake in wake of trade deal

MEXICO CITY, Feb 20 (NNN-Xinhua) — Foreign investors are looking to increase their investment in Mexico thanks to the ratification of the renovated free trade agreement, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said. “In general (foreign investors are) very optimistic about the country’s economic future, and committed to keeping their…

South Africa: Measures being implemented to avail additional power supply – Energy Minister

Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe PRETORIA, Feb 20 (NNN-SANEWS) — South Africa’s Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe says interventions are being implemented to help Eskom meet the energy demand. Mantashe said this when he participated in a debate on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in the National…

Update: Suspect in German shisha bars shootings found dead at home; 9th victim found

(Graphic: AFP) HANAU (Germany), Feb 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A gunman suspected of shooting nine people dead at two shisha bars in a southwestern German city has been found dead at his home, police said. Another body was discovered at the home of the man in Hanau, a city east of the…

Togo election: Main observer group barred from monitoring

A motorbike taxi drive past campaign banners LOME, Feb 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Togo’s national election commission has revoked a main independent observer group’s accreditation to monitor the country’s presidential election, just days before the vote is due to take place. Long-standing President Faure Gnassingbe is widely expected to win Saturday’s…

Mozambique: Fear spreads in gas-rich province as jihadist attacks rise

MAPUTO, Feb 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Villagers are fleeing a gas-rich region in northern Mozambique as energy giants are pleading for more protection in the face of mounting attacks by a shadowy jihadist group.Security officials and local residents described a bushfire of fear spreading in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique’s northernmost province, and…

Mexico arrests suspects in killing of 7-year-old girl

The coffin of seven-year-old Fatima Cecilia Aldrighett is seen during her funeral in Mexico City MEXICO CITY, Feb 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexican law enforcement has arrested suspects in the killing of a seven-year-old girl whose murder rocked the capital with protests, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum wrote in a post…

UNHCR saddened by refugee deaths in stampede for aid in Niger

A Niger soldier stands guard at a camp in Diffa NIAMEY, Feb 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is deeply saddened by the reports of the deaths of at least 20 people, among them women and infants, during a stampede for food and cash in Niger’s Diffa region.…