US, Venezuela in talks: Presidents Trump, Maduro

WASHINGTON, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro said Tuesday that talks between senior officials were underway, as the South American country struggles under the weight of US sanctions. “We are in touch. We’re talking to various representatives of Venezuela,” Trump told reporters.…

Brazil: Use of pesticides killed 500 million bees in three months

BRASILIA, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 500 million bees have died in Brazil in the last three months.In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, 400 million dead bees were found – with beekeepers in four states reporting the mass deaths.Researchers have blamed the use of pesticides – chemical…

Nigeria police re-arrests ‘millionaire kidnapper’ freed by soldiers

ABUJA, Aug 21 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Police in Nigeria have re-arrested a notorious kidnapper who was weeks back forcibly released by soldiers from detention.Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume, was arrested on Monday by police operatives at his hideout in the north-central Kano State.It would be recalled that the police had been on…

South Sudan appoints new foreign minister

South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir JUBA, Aug 21 (NNN-XINHUA) — South Sudanese President Salva Kiir sacked foreign minister Nhial Deng Nhial and replaced him with former gender, child and social welfare minister Awut Deng Achuil.Nhial, who was Kiir’s chief negotiator during last year’s peace talks in Sudan, was appointed to…

Brazil: Hostages released after police sniper ‘neutralises’ armed hijacker in Rio bus hijacking

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Police say a sniper has “neutralised” an armed man who took dozens of people hostage on a bus.The man, who reportedly identified himself as a policeman, took 37 people hostage on a bus that was travelling across a busy bridge connecting the suburb…

Mural from 3,800 years ago unveiled by Peru archaeologists

3,800 years old mural revealed in Peru by archaelogists. LIMA, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A mural thought to be 3,800 years old has been revealed by archaeologists in Peru.The wall, unveiled on Monday, was found inside a public ceremonial building at the Vichama site, north of Lima.The complex carved scene…

Cameroon crisis: Ambazonia separatists get life sentences

YAOUNDE, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A leader of Cameroon’s separatist movement, Sisiku Ayuk Tabe, and nine of his followers have been given life sentences by a military court in the capital, Yaoundé.They were convicted of rebellion, among other charges.Their lawyers accused the judge of bias and withdrew from the proceedings.The…

Italy: Prime Minister Conte announces resignation

Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe. Photo courtesy Twitter ROME, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has announced he will resign after his populist government lost the support of a key coalition member.Conte accused Matteo Salvini, leader of the right-wing League party, of trying to ruin the ruling coalition…

Tanzania to sell crocodiles: Tourism Minister

DAR ES SALAAM, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tanzania will sell 10% of its crocodile population as a way of dealing with increasing human-wildlife conflict, the tourism minister said.“There are many cases of people being attacked by the crocodiles and hippos in several areas besides destruction of crops and other properties,…

Migrants ‘going mad’ jump in sea in desperate bid to reach Italy

ROME, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Migrants have jumped in the sea in a desperate attempt to reach an Italian island after being stranded on a boat for 19 days.The Open Arms humanitarian group said the Italian coastguard was trying to rescue nine people after another man had thrown himself in…