Bosnia closes ‘jungle’ migrant camp

Illegal migrants sit in a bus following their evacuation of the makeshift camp “Vucjak”, in the outskirts of Northern-Bosnian town of Bihac SARAJEVO, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Bosnia on Wednesday dismantled tents at the makeshift migrant camp known as the “jungle” for its harsh conditions, after transferring hundreds of people…

Migrant hailed after saving wheelchair-bound man from burning building in Spain

Gorgui Lamine Sow saved a wheelchair-bound man from a burning apartment MADRID, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spanish authorities said they are considering giving residency to an undocumented migrant from Senegal after he rescued a wheelchair-bound man from a burning, second-storey apartment. Street vendor Gorgui Lamine Sow was walking the streets…

US blockade: Oxen and horses put back to work in Cuba

LOS PALACIOS (Cuba), Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A lack of fuel, in large part due to the US blockade, is forcing Cubans to return to horse and ox power for farming, transport and everyday travel. In Los Palacios, 100km of the west of the capital Havana, Heriberto Piloto bellows at his…

Chinese nationals found in furniture, washing machine in US human smuggling attempt

SAN DIEGO, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A human smuggling attempt was uncovered where 11 people were found hidden in various pieces of furniture and a washing machine, United States border officials said. The Chinese nationals were concealed in a truck that had arrived from Mexico, the US Customs and Border Protection…

Mexican businesses want clarity on details of USMCA trade deal

A carrier trailer transports vehicles queuing at the Otay border customs control in Tijuana, Mexico MEXICO CITY, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — After the initial euphoria had subsided, Mexican business leaders emerged bruised and resigned to a new stricter trade deal with the United States and Canada that could usher in…

Sudanese government reiterates commitment to national peace as talks underway

KHARTOUM, Dec 12 (NNN-Xinhua) — Deputy Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council Mohamed Hamdan Daqlu has reiterated Sudanese government’s commitment to achieving peace in the country, the council said. A new round of peace talks began in South Sudan’s capital Juba on Tuesday between the Sudanese government and armed groups. Daqlu…

Eskom works to restore power after South Africa floods as mines reopen

JOHANNESBURG, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South African state power utility Eskom scaled back power cuts on Wednesday, providing relief to mining companies that were able to restart operations hit earlier this week by the worst blackouts in a decade. A week of heavy rains across parts of South Africa has…

General election: Voters to head to polls across the UK

LONDON, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UK go to the polls on Thursday for the country’s third general election in less than five years.The contest, the first to be held in December in nearly 100 years, follows those in 2015 and 2017.Polling stations in 650 constituencies across England, Wales, Scotland…

Measles vaccination team in Cameroon attacked, motives questioned

YAOUNDE, Dec 12 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — Members of measles vaccination teams in southern Cameroon have been attacked and beaten by locals who say the serums triggered side effects that sent 12 children to local hospitals.Many rural Cameroonians distrust vaccination campaigns, which have been organized as part of a national initiative to…

Refugees in Botswana return home to Zimbabwe, but face bleak future

GABORONE, Dec 12 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — Botswana has repatriated 135 Zimbabwean refugees, the majority who fled political persecution at the height of a violent and deadly 2008 presidential election. Some of the 700 refugees still remain in camp, reluctant to return home, citing fears of political persecution.The refugees feel they are…