French government faces backlash after student sets himself on fire

Students gather outside a campus administrative building, Lyon PARIS, Nov 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The French government attempted to defuse the anger caused by the attempted suicide of a student who set himself alight to protest the hardship he faced.The 22-year-old student suffered burns on 90 per cent of his body…

Deaths, destruction as tornado hits South African province

PRETORIA, Nov 14 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — A tornado has hit South Africa’s coastal province of KwaZulu Natal leaving in its wake death and destruction of homes in the area. The specific area is eMpolweni in New Hanover.Reports suggest that the tornado hit the area on Tuesday and by Wednesday morning had…

Italy: Worst floods in 50 years bring Venice to ‘its knees’

VENICE, Nov 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The worst flooding to hit Venice in more than 50 years has brought the historic city to its knees, its mayor said.“Venice is on its knees,” Mayor Luigi Brugnaro tweeted. “St. Mark’s Basilica has sustained serious damage, like the entire city and its islands.”The crypt…

Americans now have a record $14 trillion in debt

WASHINGTON, Nov 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US households are now sitting on a record $14 trillion in mortgages, credit cards, student loans and other forms of debt. Household debt ticked up 0.7% during the third quarter, the New York Federal Reserve said, continuing a five-year climb encouraged by low unemployment, strong…

Uganda charges 67 gay-bar patrons with ‘common nuisance’

KAMPALA, Nov 14 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Sixty-seven people arrested at a gay-friendly bar in Uganda were charged with “common nuisance” Tuesday in what activists called the latest attack on the LGBT community.They face a maximum sentence of a year, lawyer Patricia Kimera said. She described the charges as “petty,” adding that…

Students stabbed at Ethiopian universities in inter-ethnic clashes – 3 dead, 9 injured

Army deploys to universities as ethnic clashes leave 3 students dead ADDIS ABABA, Nov 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — There have been further violent clashes in universities in Ethiopia, between students of different ethnic groups.Three students have died since Saturday and members of the military and the police have been deployed to…

Zimbabwean woman arrested for illegal possession of $176,000 ivory

HARARE, Nov 14 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — A Murehwa woman was recently arrested for illegally possessing 1,040 kilogrammes of ivory valued at US$176,000.Acting on a tip off, detectives searched the 42-year-old woman’s homestead and recovered the ivory wrapped in plastic bags.National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the case, saying the…

China writes off Ghana’s debt

Ghana vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia with Chinese Vice-Premier, Sun Chunlan. Photo courtesy of GNA ACCRA, Nov 14 (NNN-GNA) — The Chinese government has decided to cancel a 250 million Yuan debt owed it by Ghana. In addition, the world super power has given the government 300 million Yuan grant to assist in its…

Guaido supporters end standoff at Venezuela embassy in Brazil

BRASILIA, Nov 14, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Supporters of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido exited the country’s embassy in Brazil on Wednesday, an official said, ending a standoff with rival backers of President Nicolas Maduro. Guaido’s appointed ambassador Teresa Belandria confirmed in a statement the supporters had left, hours after the…

Pres Bolsonaro says China part of Brazil’s future

BRASILIA, Nov 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — China is increasingly part of Brazil’s future, President Jair Bolsonaro said, signaling a more pragmatic approach to the Latin American country’s biggest trade partner. Standing alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia, Bolsonaro said he hoped the two countries could not…