Hong Kong freedoms must be ‘guaranteed’: German Chancellor Merkel

BEIJING, Sept 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel saidthe rights and freedoms of people in Hong Kong “must be guaranteed”after a Friday meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing, her spokesman said. Hong Kong has been plunged into months of pro-democracy protests, andahead of her three-day visit to…

Brexit deal with UK ‘seems not possible’: Finnish EU presidency

HELSINKI, Sept 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An agreement with Britain to avoid a no-deal Brexit now appears impossible as the country is in “quite a mess”,Finland’s prime minister, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency,said Friday. “I hope that we can reach a situation where this (Brexit) can be solved sothat…

Germany plans to ban single-use plastic shopping bags next year

BERLIN, Sept 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Germany plans to ban single-use plasticbags from next year, joining a growing movement to fight global pollution,the environment minister said. Supermarkets and other retailers will be barred from offering lightweightplastic carrier bags at their checkouts, including those now marketed asbeing biodegradable or being made from…

Pres Putin woos Asian investors in Russia’s Far East

VLADIVOSTOK (Russia), Sept 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Vladimir Putinsought to lure Asian investment to Russia’s Far East as thelaunch was announced of a huge Arctic gas project aimed at Asian markets. Hosting leaders including Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and IndianPrime Minister Narendra Modi in the Pacific port city of…

Zambian president condemns South Africa xenophobic attacks

LUSAKA, Sept 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — Zambian President Edgar Lungu condemned the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The Zambian leader said the attacks deserve to be condemned in all its forms and manifestations. “Attacks of this nature targeted at foreign nations call for urgent concerted measures by the South African…

Ethiopia condemns violence against its nationals in South Africa

ADDIS ABABA, Sept 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Ethiopia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) condemned violence against its nationals in South Africa. “We condemn the heinous act of violence and looting of properties perpetrated against foreigners including our citizens in South Africa,” MoFA said in a press statement. “We are encouraged…

Femicide protests rock WEF Africa conference in South Africa

Demonstrators against South Africa’s “femicide epidemic” CAPE TOWN, Sept 5 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Students, men and women demonstrated against South Africa’s “femicide epidemic” as the World Economic Forum on Africa kicks off in Cape Town, amid growing alarm over gender violence in the country.Some 500 demonstrators, mainly young women, gathered in…

Nigerians offered free flight to flee xenophobic attacks in South Africa

ABUJA, Sept 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigerians in South Africa are being offered a free flight to return home “following the recent unfortunate xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals“, Nigeria’s foreign ministry said. The owner of Air Peace Airlines was willing to evacuate Nigerians free of charge on Friday, it said. “Interested…

Colombia ready to defend against Venezuela ‘threats’: Minister

BOGOTA, Sept 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Colombia is “ready” to defend itself against threats from Venezuela, after that country’s president accused Bogota of seeking to provoke military conflict, a minister said. Faced with “threats” from Caracas, “Colombian authorities will not give in to provocation, but are ready to protect the sovereignty…

New Italian government to be sworn in on Thursday – official

ROME, Sept 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has told President Sergio Mattarella that he is in position to form a new government, which will be sworn in on Thursday, a presidential official said. The swearing-in ceremony, involving the whole cabinet, will take place at the presidential palace…