Update: Zimbabwe begins national mourning for hero-turned-despot Mugabe

HARARE, Sept 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe was on Saturday due to begin a period of national mourning following the death of Robert Mugabe, the former guerrilla hero turned despot who ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years. As Zimbabweans expressed sharply divided opinions about Mugabe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said his predecessor had…

Update: Hurricane Dorian’s death toll in Bahamas rises to 43

Homes flattened by Hurricane Dorian are seen in Abaco, Bahamas NASSAU, Sept 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The death toll from Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas has risen to 43, media outlets said late Friday, and was expected to grow “significantly.” Bahamas newspaper The Tribune cited Health Minister Duane Sands as confirming…

Venezuela redistributes lands to Campesinos in Zulia

Campesinos in Mara, Zulia receiving their lands. CARACAS, Sept 7 (NNN-TELESUR) — The Venezuelan government has given land titles to small Campesino families in the municipality of Mara in the state of Zulia. It is hoped that handing these lands to those who work it will increase food production, to combat…

South American leaders begin emergency summit on Amazon fires

ETICIA (Colombia), Sept 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Presidents and ministers fromseven Amazon countries met in Colombia on Friday to agree on measures toprotect the world’s biggest rainforest, under threat from wildfires andrampant deforestation. The summit took place in the wake of an international outcry over months of raging fires that have…

El Salvador launches anti-graft body inspired by Guatemala

SAN SALVADOR, Sept 7 (NNN-TELESUR) — Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele on Friday unveiled a new independent commission to tackle corruption, taking inspiration from a United Nations-backed body that toppled the previous president of neighboring Guatemala. Bukele, who took office in June, has vowed to stamp out corruption that has implicated…

Mexico: Soldiers clash with Haitian, African migrants at border

Dozens of Haitian and African migrants clashed with Mexican security MEXICO CITY, Sept 7 (NNN-TELESUR) — Dozens of Haitian and African migrants clashed with Mexican security forces outside the Siglo XXI migration post in Tapachula in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, close to the Guatemalan border, demanding to be given visas…

Venezuela: #NoMoreTrump petition gets to 10 Million signature goal – Pres Maduro

CARACAS, Sept 7 (NNN-TELESUR) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced that 10 million signatures were collected for the international #NoMoreTrump campaign against the United States criminal blockade on the South American country.  The “No More Trump” petition, begun Aug 10 by Maduro in order to join international forces in denouncing…

South Africa femicide: Take a stand, says Pres Ramaphosa

 Pres Cyril Ramaphosa addresses people protesting in Cape Town against gender-based violence. CAPE TOWN, Sept 7 (NNN-SANEWS) — President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated calls for all South Africans to take an unequivocal stand against gender-based violence. The President, along with Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane and some Cabinet Ministers, visited the…

South Africa xenophobia attacks: Cabinet speaks out on Gauteng violence, torching of trucks

CAPE TOWN, Sept 7 (NNN-SANEWS) — The South African Cabinet has strongly condemned the recent sporadic violence that erupted in some parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.  On Friday, the executive said all peace-loving people should condemn unlawful and unruly behaviour in the strongest possible terms.  “South Africa is a constitutional…

South Africa femicide: One woman killed, raped and abused is one too many – Cabinet

An anti-femicide protester in Cape Town CAPE TOWN, Sept 7 (NNN-SANEWS) — The South African Cabinet has called for the imposition of the maximum sentence for perpetrators of gender-based violence. In a statement, issued following its fortnightly meeting on Wednesday, Cabinet said it joins the nation in mourning the killings,…