Canada: PM Trudeau cites US ratcheting up tensions with Iran in plane’s downing

OTTAWA, Jan 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Victims of an Iran-downed jetliner would still be alive if not for a recent escalation of tensions partly triggered by the United States, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. “I think if there were no tensions, if there was no escalation recently in the region,…

Ghana: Thirty-four killed in two-bus crash

ACCRA, Jan 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) –– Thirty-four people died when two buses collided in central Ghana, officials said. Police and the fire brigade said the accident occurred early Tuesday in thetown of Dompoase, about 200 kilometres from the Ghanaian capitalAccra. “Several people sustained injuries and have been rushed to the hospital.Twenty-nine…

Brazil: Rio kicks off its 50-day Carnival celebration

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan 13 (NNN-EFE) — Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, the world’s biggest such celebration, began Sunday with the first street dance troups and the election of King Momo, an emblematic figure that, for the first time, received the keys to the city a month before the official…

Bolivia’s Morales marks 2 months in exile

A supporter of former President Evo Morales participates in a demonstration in Cochabamba, Bolivia BUENOS AIRES, Jan 13 (NNN-EFE) — Former Bolivian President Evo Morales, who resigned in November during what he called a “coup d’etat,” on Sunday marked two months in exile from Buenos Aires, the city that has…

Wildlife in Zimbabwe attack more humans due to drought

HARARE, Jan 13 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — At least 36 people were killed by wild animals in Zimbabwe in 2019 up from 20 in 2018. The Zimbabwean further reports that the authorities recorded 311 animal attacks on people last year, up from 195 in 2018. This increased attack on people has been blamed…

Guinea-Bissau: Supreme Court rejects challenge to presidential election result

President-elect Umaro Cissoko Embalo BISSAU, Jan 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Guinea-Bissau’s Supreme Court rejected a challenge against Umaro Cissoko Embalo’s victory in last month’s election run-off by the defeated candidate, who complained of fraud. The ruling confirms a surprise election win for Embalo, a 47-year-old former prime minister and ex-army general.…

Mexico: Pres Lobrador vows justice in visit to town scarred by massacre

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador LA MORA (Mexico), Jan 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexico’s president pledged that those behind a massacre that killed nine members of a U.S.-Mexican family of Mormon origin will be punished and that the truth surrounding the crime will eventually come out. In a speech before…

Colombia says police foil attempt to assassinate FARC leader Timochenko

Colombian former FARC rebel leader Rodrigo Londono BOGOTA, Jan 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Colombian police thwarted an assassination attempt against Rodrigo Londono, former commander of the demobilized FARC rebels better known by his nom de guerre Timochenko, a senior official said. General Oscar Atehortua, director of Colombia’s national police, said officers…

Argentina: Pres Fernandez sets March 31 deadline to renegotiate debt, says has IMF backing

Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez BUENOS AIRES, Jan 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Alberto Fernandez said he has set a March 31 deadline to renegotiate Argentina’s rampant public debt and that a more “innovative” International Monetary Fund approves of the direction his government is taking. Argentina is in talks with bondholders and…

Kenya: 3 teachers feared dead, 1 abducted as al-Shabaab raid police camp

GARISSA (Kenya), Jan 13 (NNN-Xinhua) — Three teachers are feared dead after Somali extremist group al-Shabab attacked a police camp in Garissa county in northeast Kenya early Monday. Police and witnesses said an unknown number of militants attacked the police camp at around 2 a.m. local time and destroyed a…