Sudan: Talks under way between transitional government and rebels

The meeting has come after some rebel groups signed a draft agreement in Juba last month JUBA, Oct 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Peace talks between a delegation from Sudan’s newly-created sovereign council and a number of rebel leaders are under way in South Sudan’s capital, Juba. The discussions, which started on…

US slaps sanctions on Turkey as Syrian government returns to north

WASHINGTON, Oct 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States slapped sanctions on Turkey Tuesday as it demanded an end to its deadly incursion against Syrian Kurdish fighters, accusing its NATO partner of putting civilians at risk and allowing the release of Daesh extremists. The actions came hours after Syrian government troops…

Vatican security chief, papal bodyguard, steps down over leak

VATICAN CITY, Oct 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Domenico Giani, the Vatican’s longtime security chief and Pope Francis’ main bodyguard, has resigned over leaks related to an investigation into alleged financial wrongdoing in the Vatican. Giani, 57, a former member of Italy’s secret services, had been part of the Vatican security apparatus…

Poland’s parliament on knife-edge as opposition takes upper house

WARSAW, Oct 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Poland’s nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party appears to have narrowly won a second term in power, final results from Sunday’s parliamentary election showed, but its drive to push through its agenda may be hampered by its loss of the upper house. On a day…

Embattled South African Airways in talks with potential partners: Pres Ramaphosa

LONDON, Oct 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa’s embattled state-owned airline is open to outside investment and in talks with a number of potential partners, President Cyril Ramaphosa said. The economy of the African continent’s most industrialized nation has come under ever growing pressure as the government grapples with lacklustre growth,…

Tunisia presidential election: Kais Saied declared winner

Kais Saied TUNIS, Oct 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Independent law professor Kais Saied has won Tunisia‘s presidential election with 72.71 percent of votes, the country’s electoral commission has confirmed. Saied secured 2.7 million votes against one million received by his opponent, Nabil Karoui, in Sunday’s runoff vote, the commission said on Tuesday. Karoui, a…

Tunisia: French national killed, soldier injured in knife attack – Interior Ministry

TUNIS, Oct 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An attacker killed a French citizen and wounded a soldier with a knife in northern Tunisia, the Interior Ministry said. Interior Ministry spokesman Khaled Hayouni was quoted on state news agency TAP as saying police knew the identity of the assailant, a 28-year-old man with…

Spain jails Catalan separatist leaders for independence bid, protesters take to streets

Nine separatist leaders from Catalonia sentenced to prison in failed independence bid in 2017 MADRID, Oct 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain’s Supreme Court on Monday sentenced nine separatist leaders from Catalonia to between nine and 13 years in prison for sedition over their role in a failed bid for independence in…

14 police killed in attack in western Mexico: officials

MEXICO CITY, Oct 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gunmen killed 14 police Monday in an attack in the state of Michoacan, in western Mexico, authorities said, condemning the latest violence in the restive region, a hotspot for criminal groups and armed vigilantes. The attack occurred on the outskirts of the city of…

Zimbabwe readmitted as International Cricket Council member

DUBAI, Oct 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Cricket chiefs readmitted Zimbabwe as an International Cricket Council member following a three-month suspension over political interference. An ICC statement said the move followed a Monday meeting in Dubai involving the Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani and sports minister, Kirsty Coventry. “I would like to…