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…

Ghana: Court orders three teacher unions to call off strike immediately

ACCRA, Dec 12 (NNN-GNA) — Ghana’s Industrial and Labour Court (High Court Division) has ordered three teacher unions to immediately call off their strike over the payment of Legacy Arrears. The three unions, whose members are under the Ghana Education Service (GES), are the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT),…

Greta Thunberg named Time Person Of The Year for 2019

 MADRID, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Greta Thunberg, the Swedish schoolgirl who inspired a global movement to fight climate change, has been named Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2019. The 16-year-old is the youngest person to be chosen by the magazine in a tradition that started in 1927. Last…

EU leader urges MEPs to back green growth plan

BRUSSELS, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The EU’s top official Wednesday launched the bloc’s new “Green Deal”, hailing it as a strategy for jobs and economic growth, not just for cutting emissions. Unveiling the plan to the European Parliament, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen also warned against the steep…

Three killed in plane crash in Canada

The Transportation Safety Board said there is a ‘significant debris field’ at the site of Tuesday’s crash on B.C.’s Gabriola Island OTTAWA, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three people were killed when a small airplane crashed on Gabriola Island, Canada Tuesday night, CTV reported Wednesday. The twin-engine Piper Aerostar plane, took…

US warns N.Korea of consequences for ‘Christmas gift’

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States on Wednesday warned North Korea of consequences if it makes good on threats of a spectacular weapons test in the New Year, while offering flexibility if it stays in talks. Frustrated by the lack of sanctions relief after three summits with…

Chile missing C-130 plane: Floating debris found

Debris were found floating in the area where the plane went missing on Monday PUNTA ARENAS (Chile), Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Chilean officials say they have located debris believed to be from an air force plane that went missing on Monday. They said the wreckage was found floating 30km from…

Niger military camp attack leaves ‘at least 71 dead’ : defence ministry

Nigerien commandos during military exercises in Ouallam NIAMEY, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 71 people were killed in a militant attack on a Niger military camp in the western Tillaberi region near the Mali border, the defence ministry said. “The terrorists bombarded the camp with shells and mortars. The…

Brazil sends polar ship, military aircraft to search for lost Chilean plane

RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec 11 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Brazilian government said it had sent a polar ship and a military aircraft to Antarctica to help search for a Chilean plane that vanished on Monday with 38 people on board. In a statement, Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Ministry also expressed its “consternation…

Libya’s UN-backed government welcomes US sanctions on senior official of east-based army

Mahmoud Al-Werfalli TRIPOLI, Dec 11 (NNN-Xinhua) — Interior Minister of the UN-backed government of Libya Fathi Bashagha on Tuesday welcomed the U.S. Treasury Department’s decision to impose sanctions on senior commander of the east-based rebel army Mahmoud al-Werfalli. The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday announced imposing sanctions on al-Warfalli for…