Britain’s first post-Brexit budget set for March 11

LONDON, Jan 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain is to unveil its first post-Brexit budget on March 11, the government said, promising increased public service spending and an end to a decade of austerity. The government cancelled its previous budget scheduled for Nov 6 after Prime Minister Boris Johnson called an early…

Letter on US pullout from Iraq a ‘mistake’: Pentagon

WASHINGTON, Jan 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — America’s military strategy in Iraq was thrown into confusion Monday as the Pentagon admitted a letter from a general informing the Iraqi government of an imminent US troop pullout was sent by “mistake.” The latest developments came as a sea of black-clad mourners in Tehran…

Iranians report being stopped, facing delays at US border

LOS ANGELES, Jan 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Dozens of Iranians and Iranian-Americans have reported being harassed or questioned for hours at the US border following heightened tensions over the US killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim advocacy group, said it had provided assistance…

US will send Mexican asylum seekers to Guatemala: DHS

WASHINGTON, Jan 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States will send some Mexicans seeking asylum to Guatemala, concluding a controversial migration deal with Washington, the US Department of Homeland Security said. “Certain Mexicans seeking humanitarian protections in the United States may now be eligible to be transferred to Guatemala and given…

Ethiopia amends controversial anti-terrorism law that banned protests

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ADDIS ABABA, Jan 7 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — The Ethiopian parliament has approved amendments to the country’s controversial anti-terrorist legislation. The new version has more concise language as opposed to the old one whose wording was criticised as vague by activists and human rights organisations. Prior to April…

Turkey deploys troops to Libya

The deployment of Turkish troops has been welcomed by supporters of GNA ANKARA, Jan 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said troops have begun moving into Libya to ensure stability for the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli.The military deployment was approved last week by…

Angola: Five killed in landmine blast

LUANDA, Jan 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least five people were killed in Angola after a vehicle drove over a landmine in the northeast, the government said. More than one million landmines were planted during Angola’s 27-year war, which started after the southwest African country’s independence from Portugal in 1975. After…

Indian embassy in Zimbabwe catches fire

The fire was stopped before causing much damage HARARE, Jan 7 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — The Indian embassy in Harare Monday caught fire with the ambassador to the Asian country later saying the situation was under control. Visual images of the structure show black smoke billowing from the property. But Indian ambassador…

Libya conflict: Rebel forces ‘seize strategic city Sirte’

The self-styled Libyan National Army TRIPOLI, Jan 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Rebel forces in Libya say they have taken control of the coastal city of Sirte, in what would be a key strategic gain.Sirte has been controlled by forces aligned with Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) since Daesh militants…

Nigerian police on heightened alert after US killing of Iranian commander

ABUJA, Jan 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigerian police have been placed on a heightened state of alert after the US killing of a top Iranian military commander in Iraq sparked fears of public disturbances in the West African country, the police said. Qassem Soleimani was killed on Friday in a US…