US airstrike kills 17 Daesh militants in southwestern Libya

TRIPOLI, Sept 28 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) on Friday said it carried out an airstrike that killed Daesh militants in southwestern Libya, in coordination with the UN-backed government. “In coordination with the Libyan Government of National Accord, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting Daesh-Libya terrorists…

Brazilian Congress passes bill allowing large auction of pre-salt oil fields

BRASILIA, Sept 28 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Brazilian Congress passed a constitutional amendment bill on Thursday, authorizing the government to hold a large auction for the concession of large pre-salt oil exploration areas. “The approval of this measure is essential for Brazil’s development,” said Davi Alcolumbre, president of the Senate. The…

Haiti gripped by violent protests, rage against president

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Sept 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Angry protests rumbled through Haiti and its capital of Port-au-Prince Friday as thousands of people took to the streets against President Jovenel Moise, drawing tear gas from police as demonstrators looted and threw stones. Protesters took over a police station in the impoverished Cite Soleilneighborhood,…

Russia bans smoking on apartment balconies

File pic: balconies are where most Russian smokers go to have a cigarette MOSCOW, Sept 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russian smokers have been left gasping after the emergencies ministry announced that smoking on the balconies of apartment blocks would be banned under new fire regulations.Under the new rules, “open fire” is…

Cross-Channel people smugglers arrested in Belgium, Germany and UK

GHENT (Belgium), Sept 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Fifteen people have been arrested for organising the smuggling of people to the UK in the backs of lorries. Police said on Friday they had found 37 Albanian nationals waiting to cross the channel during a raid on a hotel in the Belgian city…

Kenya: Owner of private school which collapsed killing 8 pupils, arrested

NAIROBI, Sept 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The owner of a school where a block of classrooms collapsed on Monday killing eight pupils in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, has been arrested.Moses Wainaina was taken into custody on Thursday evening and detained at Kabete police station pending his appearance in court.Following the collapse, the…

Sudan entertainers to raise funds for uprising victims

Comedian Ola and singer Asya Satti LONDON, Sept 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sudanese living in the UK will this weekend raise funds for the victims of the violence witnessed during this year’s uprising against ousted President Omar al-Bashir.The event will be hosted in London and the hosts, comedian Ola Labib and…

US Judge issues setback to Pres Trump child migrant policy

LOS ANGELES, Sept 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) –A US federal judge has issued a legal setback to the Trump White House’s effort to expand detention for migrant children crossing the US-Mexico border.The move to overturn strict limits on detention was an “obvious” violation of a longstanding policy towards child detainees, lawyers had…

Ghana’s alleged coup plot: Senior military officer, one other charged

The two were charged on Friday ACCRA, Sept 28 (NNN-GNA) — A senior military officer and a civilian said to be part of a plot to take down the Ghanaian Presidency, have been slapped with the charge of possession of explosives and ammunition without lawful excuse.The senior military officer, Colonel…

US envoy on Ukraine, named in Trump scandal, resigns: source

WASHINGTON, Sept 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US special representative on Ukraine Kurt Volker resigned Friday after Congress ordered him to answer questions in an impeachment investigation on President Donald Trump. A source confirmed Volker’s resignation, which was first reported by the student newspaper at Arizona State University, where he directs an…