Mexico to relaunch probe of 43 missing students

MEXICO CITY, Sept 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Mexican prosecutor-general’soffice said it will re-investigate “almost from scratch” thedisappearance and suspected massacre of 43 students in 2014, a case thatstill haunts the country. The initial probe into the mass kidnapping has been marred by missteps and allegations that investigators tortured suspects, resulting…

US envoy to Afghanistan testifies before lawmakers

WASHINGTON, Sept 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US envoy who negotiated with the Taliban testifies behind closed doors to Congress on Thursday, 12 days after President Donald Trump abruptly ended talks with the Afghan militants. The House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee earlier issued a subpoena to force Zalmay Khalilzad to…

Liberia: 26 pupils, two teachers killed in Korani school fire

MONROVIA, Sept 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A huge fire at a Liberian Koranicschool on Wednesday killed at least 26 pupils and two teachers when flamesengulfed their dormitory, in one of the worst disasters of its kind for theWest African nation. The boys were sleeping at the school when the overnight fire…

US wants ‘peaceful’ solution to crisis over Saudi strikes: US Sec of State Pompeo

ABU DHABI, Sept 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States wants a peaceful solution to the crisis sparked by attacks on Saudi oil facilities, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, after Iran raised the prospect of “all-out war”. After meeting with allies in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, Pompeo said there was…

China stands ready to promote Rohingya repatriation: Envoy

DHAKA, Sept 20 (NNN-BSS) — Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has said his country stands ready to mediate between Bangladesh and Myanmar to promote the repatriation process of forcibly displaced Rohingyas in an active manner as soon as possible. “China is a friendly neighbour, and stands ready to mediate…

Spain to hold fourth election in 4 years as talks fail

MADRID, Sept 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain will hold its fourth election in four years in November after last-minute initiatives to break a months-long impasse failed to achieve a breakthrough. “Spain is bound to hold new elections on November 10,” acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told a news conference late on…

Fuel crisis in Haiti stokes tension

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Sept 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Haiti came to a standstill Monday with no public means of transport available. Banks, government offices and schools were closed amid protests over fuel crisis in the capital , Port-au-prince. On Monday, students were seen walking back to their homes, during a day of tension…

Tunisia’s Saied, Karoui to contest presidential runoff vote: official

TUNIS, Sept 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tunisia’s electoral commission confirmed that Law professor Kais Saied and detained media mogul Nabil Karoui had won the most votes in the first round of the country’s presidential election and will contest a runoff vote. The commission’s announcement following a full count of votes confirmed…

South Sudan: Full-scale war looms one year after peace accord signed – UN Panel

Civilians fleeing Kajo Keji county, toward the southern border with Uganda (file photo) GENEVA, Sept 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A panel of UN experts warns the failure of South Sudan’s warring factions to implement last year’s peace accord risks plunging the country into full-scale war once again. The report by the…

Nigeria: Xenophobia – South Africa grants landing permit to Air Peace – Mission

ABUJA, Sept 18 (NNN-NAN) — South African authorities have granted landing permit to Air Peace Flight B777 to enable it to evacuate some 320 Nigerians escaping from xenophobia in that country, a Nigerian consular officer has confirmed. Godwin Adama, Nigeria’s Consul-General in Johannesburg, made the confirmation in a telephone interview…