Britain to become ‘second rate’ in the world after Brexit: EU’s Tusk

BRUSSELS, Nov 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain will lose influence in international affairs and become a “second-rate player” after it leaves the European Union, European Council President Donald Tusk said. Backers of Britain’s 2016 vote to exit the EU, the world’s largest trading bloc, say that the country – the world’s…

UN agencies to launch regional plan for Venezuelan refugees

Wheelchair-bound María, with her husband and grandson, who spent ten days travelling across Colombia, arrive at the border with Ecuador UNITED NATIONS, Nov 14 (NNN-Xinhua) — Two UN agencies are launching a 1.35-billion-U.S. dollar plan to aid millions of people who have fled Venezuela, as well as their host communities,…

Plenary session of Tunisia’s parliament kicks off with newly elected members

Newly elected members of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People (ARP) take oaths during the first plenary session in Tunis TUNIS, Nov 14 (NNN-Xinhua) — In the presence of the 217 new members elected in the legislative election on Oct. 6, the first plenary session of the second…

2020 presidential polls: 70 people killed in Guinea —Amnesty International

CONAKRY, Nov 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 70 people have been killed in Guinea during protests ahead of the 2020 presidential election, Amnesty International said.The deaths have occurred since 2015, during various demonstrations against President Alpha Conde’s plans to amend the constitution to run for a third term, the human…

Zimbabwe central bank will not allow miners to keep all forex earnings

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor John Mangudya HARARE, Nov 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe will not grant mining companies’ request to keep all their export earnings in foreign currencies, central bank governor John Mangudya said, adding that the government needs some of the money to fund crucial imports.Mining firms have…

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…