US: Pres Trump threatens to pull California wildfire funds over spat with state governor

Fierce fires have burned thousands of acres of California WASHINGTON, Nov 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump has threatened to cut federal funding for the wildfires sweeping California, in a Twitter spat with the state’s governor. Nearly 100,000 acres have been destroyed by wildfires in recent weeks, and thousands…

Nigeria: 13 university students killed in inter-cultist clash

ABUJA, Nov 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — No fewer than 13 students of the Kogi State University, Ayingba, have been hacked down by unidentified assailants suspected to be members of a secret cult.The killings were reprisals carried out by one of the cults whose leader, a student of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja,…

Rwanda’s president names new cabinet ministers

Rwandan President, Paul Kagame KIGALI, Nov 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Paul Kagame has reshuffled his cabinet, making major changes in ministerial positions and senior government dockets.The changes have seen Dr Vincent Biruta appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, replacing Dr Richard Sezibera.Biruta has been Minister of Environment.Dr Jean D’arc…

Spain leaders clash over Catalonia in TV election debate

MADRID, Nov 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain’s acting prime minister hardened his stance on Catalonia in a live TV debate with his rivals, ahead of a repeat general election which polls suggest will lead to another inconclusive outcome. Sunday’s election comes after several days of violent protests in Barcelona and other…

Burkina Faso: 5 gendarmes, 5 civilians killed in attack on military base

OUAGADOUGOU, Nov 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least five gendarmes and five civilians were killed in an attack on a base in northern Burkina Faso, near the border with Mali, security sources said. It is the latest deadly attack in the troubled north of the West African country, which is battling…

Bolivia: Embattled Pres Evo Morales ‘unhurt’ after helicopter emergency landing

Pres Evo Morales LA PAZ, Nov 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A helicopter carrying Bolivia’s President Evo Morales made an emergency landing on Monday due to a mechanical problem, the military said, raising suspicions among his supporters after opponents promised to remove him. No one was hurt in the incident, the air force said, but…

UK: PM Johnson presses election rival to explain Brexit stance

LONDON, Nov 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnsonpressed opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn to tellvoters in next month’s election whether he backs leaving the EU. Johnson’s main rival in the snap Dec 12 poll has struggled withdefining his position on Brexit ever since Britons narrowly triggered thedivorce…

Mega-rally marks Chile protests third week as president struggles

SANTIAGO, Nov 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Protesters in Chile clashed with police, looted stores and endured a strong earthquake at the close of a huge rally kicking off the third week of anti-government demonstrations that have sparked deadly unrest. Tens of thousands of people gathered in Plaza de Italia, the epicenter…

Mali: Sahel expert warns against ‘Fulani jihad’ notion

UN peacekeeping forces have been helping Malian troops in the battle on jihadists BAMAKO, Nov 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — As central Mali spirals into conflict, the spotlight has turned on the Fulani ethnic group, which has been accused of carrying out massacres against other communities. According to this narrative, the bloodshed…

El Salvador orders expulsion of all Venezuelan diplomats

MEXICO CITY, Nov 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — El Salvador has ordered the expulsion of all Venezuelan diplomats from the Central American country, the authorities announced Sunday. El Salvador recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president until free elections were held in the country, the government said in a statement.…