German farmers stage tractor protest over climate measures

Tractors block traffic in Berlin as farmers protest BERLIN, Oct 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of farmers drove their tractors into German cities on Tuesday, in protest at the government’s new agricultural policies which they say will hurt their livelihoods and make them scapegoats for climate change. Long convoys of tractors held…

More than 100 elephants die in Botswana in suspected anthrax outbreak

GABORONE, Oct 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 100 elephants have died in Botswana in the past two months partly because of a suspected anthrax outbreak, the government said. “Preliminary investigations suggest the elephants are dying from anthrax whilst some died from drought effects,” a Department of Wildlife and National Parks…

Catholics in Haiti demand president step down

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Oct 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of Catholics demanding the resignation of Haiti’s president marched through the capital on Tuesday, becoming the latest group to join an outcry against him. They gathered outside one of the main churches in Port-au-Prince and denounced President Jovenel Moise as corrupt and incompetent. Over…

Chile president announces social measures to stem street violence

SANTIAGO, Oct 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Chilean President Sebastian Pineraannounced a package of social measures Tuesday aimed at stemming days of protests over economic inequality that have swept the country and claimed 15 lives. Apologizing to the nation for failing to anticipate the outbreak of socialunrest, Pinera said his government had…

Brazil: One dead in police operation to foil Maracana stadium invasion

The Flamengo-Gremio first leg finished 1-1 after a late Gremio equaliser RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 23 (NNN-Xinhua) — One person died and two others were injured during a shootout between police and a gang of Flamengo fans that allegedly planned to invade Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium. Police arrested 16…

Update: British PM’s Brexit timetable rejected by parliament

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson LONDON, Oct 23 (NNN-Xinhua) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday was defeated in a vote on his Brexit timetable, meaning his government could push for a general election. Lawmakers voted 308 to 322 to turn down his proposed rapid timetable for Brexit bill.…

US Senate approves North Macedonia to NATO

WASHINGTON, Oct 23 (NNN-Xinhua) — The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved North Macedonia’s accession to NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). Senators voted 91 to 2 to ratify North Macedonia as the alliance’s 30th member state. According to U.S. media, the two “no” votes came from Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky…

South Africa deports thousands of illegal immigrants, Parliament told

 Asylum seekers outside the UNHRC office in Cape Town CAPE TOWN, Oct 23 (NNN-Xinhua) — South Africa has deported thousands of illegal immigrants in recent months following a new spate of xenophobic attacks, the country’s parliament said. The parliament revealed the information after a meeting was convened by the Portfolio…

Russia hosts major summit as Kremlin scrambles for Africa

SOCHI (Russia), Oct 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday hosts dozens of African leaders for the first Russia-Africa Summit, as Moscow seeks greater influence on a continent where the West and China have a firm foothold. The two-day event at the Black Sea resort of Sochi will see…

Catalan leader urges Spain to start talks on self-determination

BARCELONA, Oct 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Catalonia’s regional government leader called on Madrid to open talks on self-determination for the restive Spanish region after days of at-times violent protests over jail sentences for nine separatist leaders. “No one will ever bar this country from continuing to advance in line with what…