South Sudan’s opposition leader Machar says unlikely to be part of unity govt by Nov 12

New U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft talks to South Sudan’s ex-vice president and former rebel leader Riek Machar JUBA, Oct 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Sudan’s main opposition leader told a visiting United Nations Security Council delegation that he will not be part of a unity government next…

US announces resumption of aid to Central American countries

WASHINGTON, Oct 21 (NNN-Prensa Latina) — The US government announced that it will resume financial assistance to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras after the suspension of funds ordered by President Donald Trump in March. At the time, Trump accused those countries, members of the so-called Northern Triangle of Central America,…

UN warns that 22% of Haitian children suffer from malnutrition

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Oct 21 (NNN-Prensa Latina) — About 22% of Haitian children under five years are suffering from chronic malnutrition, and 4% from acute malnutrition, UNICEF reported. The UN alert occurs in a convulsed moment for Haiti, following a consecutive months of protests calling for the resignation of President Jovenel Moïse,…

South Africa: Pres Ramaphosa to attend Russia-Africa Summit

President Cyril Ramaphosa PRETORIA, Oct 21 (NNN-SANEWS) — President Cyril Ramaphosa will this week lead the South African delegation to the first Russia-Africa Summit taking place in Sochi, in Russia.  The forum, which will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, will focus on key areas of cooperation between Russia and…

Pro-separatists stage new Barcelona rallies, government says violence fading

BARCELONA, Oct 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hundreds of pro-independence protesters took to the streets of Barcelona for a seventh successive night on Sunday, with anger over the jailing of Catalan separatist leaders showing little sign of abating. One large crowd blocked a road close to the Spanish government headquarters in Catalonia,…

Ecuador resumes oil exports curbed by protests

QUITO, Oct 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ecuador said it had resumed crude oil exports curbed by violent protests that forced several wells in the Amazon to halt operations. The country was hit by 12 days of demonstrations, led by indigenous groups, against fuel price hikes until President Lenin Moreno reached a…

North Macedonia to hold early election in April next year: PM

SKOPJEJE, Oct 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — North Macedonia will hold an early election on April 12 next year, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said, two days after the European Union (EU) put a hold on the start of the country’s accession negotiations. All leaders of the political parties have agreed with the…

Chinese-built trains benefit over 200,000 Cubans in 3 months

HAVANA, Oct 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — Cuban engineer Jose Gordillo, who travels to the central Cuban city of Ciego de Avila from time to time to visit his elderly parents, now finds his trip more convenient and comfortable with new Chinese-built trains. “For family reasons, I have been back and forth…

IMF pledges support for Somalia’s debt relief

MOGADISHU, Oct 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed support for Somalia’s efforts to secure debt relief through the lender’s highly indebted poor countries program. Kristalina Georgieva, IMF managing director who held talks with Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire pledged to work with the membership of…

Sudanese army accuses armed group in Darfur of violating cease-fire

KHARTOUM, Oct 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Sudanese army accused an armed group in Darfur region of violating the cease-fire declared by Sudan’s government, according to the army’s statement. “On Oct. 17, forces of the Sudan’s Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Abdul-Wahid Nur attacked positions of our forces at Brobas area,…