French police warn cocaine fortune hunters off beaches

PARIS, Nov 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French authorities have closed beaches in southwest France as packages of cocaine and other drugs continue to wash up daily along the Atlantic coast, with nearly 900 kilogrammes discovered since mid-October, a prosecutor said.Officials say the cocaine is extremely pure at some 83 percent, warning…

Mali should focus on national dialogue and reconciliation initiatives: ECOWAS

ABUJA (Nigeria), Nov 13 (NNN-GNA) — Peace and security experts are urging Mali to stay focused on the on-going inclusive Inter-Malian Community and National Dialogue and Reconciliation initiatives. The government should additionally, continue with the security sector reform, disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration process. A Statement issued by the ECOWAS Commission…

West Africa becoming transit point for illegal wildlife products

ACCRA, Nov 13 (NNN-GNA) — West Africa is increasingly becoming a transit point for illegal wildlife products from Central and East Africa, Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie, the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, has cautioned.The region is also serving as a source for many of illegally traded species, including chimpanzees, gray parrots,…

African women face persistent gender gaps in education and jobs – Report

ACCRA, Nov 13 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — Despite widespread popular support for gender equality, African women are still disadvantaged by persistent gender gaps in education, employment, control over key assets, and access to technology, an Afrobarometer has revealed.The analysis, released Monday, reports that although there were substantial cross-country differences, African societies were…

British security officials play down cyber attack on Labour

LONDON, Nov 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British security officials said that an attempted cyber attack on the main opposition Labour Party during general election campaigning had failed. The National Cyber Security centre (NCSC) — part of Britain’s spy agency GCHQ — said it was “confident the party took the necessary steps…

Brazil’s Bolsonaro to walk diplomatic tightrope at BRICS

BRASILIA, Nov 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro will walk a diplomatic tightrope Wednesday when he hosts his Chinese counterpart, as he seeks to boost ties with Beijing and avoid upsetting key ally Donald Trump. Just weeks after his first official visit to China, Bolsonaro will hold talks with…

Bolivia armed forces pledge to tackle violence as new election looms

LA PAZ, Nov 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Bolivia’s armed forces agreed to conduct joint operations with the police to prevent violence as Mexico announced it had granted asylum to Evo Morales, who resigned from the Bolivian presidency on Sunday. The senator set to succeed him as interim president, Jeanine Anez, pledged…

Zimbabwe distributes new banknotes

HARARE, Nov 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe’s central bank begins circulating new banknotes on Monday, which it says will help to ease a severe cash shortage as the country suffers a deepening economic crisis.The bank has played down fears that the move will fuel inflation, insisting that the new two- and…

Tanzania drops plan to bar candidates in elections

DAR ES SALAAM, Nov 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Tanzanian authorities have reversed a decision to disqualify many opposition candidates from local elections on Nov 24. Minister of State Selemani Jafo said leniency would be shown to allow previously barred candidates to stand. A number had been told they would not…

Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta rejects gay agenda in global population conference

NAIROBI, Nov 11 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta rejected any gay agenda to be tabled in a global population conference to be held in Nairobi starting tomorrow. Kenya will host the Nov 12-14 population conference “but will not accept practices that are at conflict with our cultures,” President Uhuru…