Colombian ministries call for more protection of social leaders

BOGOTA, Aug 17 (NNN-TELESUR) — Colombian social leaders ought to be better protected, especially in light of upcoming regional elections set to be held Oct. 27,Attorney General Director Fernando Carrillo said. The attorney general’s office is requesting the National Security Guarantees Commission (CNGS) consolidate strategies and create a list of candidates who could be…

Why El-Zakzaky was repatriated from India – FG

Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky ABUJA, Aug 17 (NNN-NAN) — The Federal Government on Friday explained the circumstances that led to the “repatriation” of  the leader of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheik Ibrahim El-zakzaky, from India. Grace Gekpe, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, in a statement…

Brazil: Pres Bolsonaro administration has privatized some US$ 20bn of assets

BRASILIA, Aug 17 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Brazil has privatized nearly US$ 20bn of assets and investments since the election of right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro, according to a government minister. Secretary of state for privatization, divestment and markets Salim Mattar announced that the government’s sweeping program of privatization was going as planned.…

Equatorial Guinean foreign minister denies media reports on border wall with Cameroon

YAOUNDE, Aug 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — Equatorial Guinea’s foreign minister, Simeon Oyono Esono Angue, denied reports that his country is planning to build a wall along the border with its neighbor Cameroon. In early August, Western media reported that Equatorial Guinean soldiers had crossed the Ntem River that forms a natural…

Situation calm in S. African townships after foreign shops looting

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — The situation is calm in South Africa’s Soweto townships following the looting of shops belonging to foreigners and 18 suspects were arrested, South African police said. On Wednesday night, several shops belonging to foreigners were looted. Gauteng police spokesperson Kay Makhubele told Xinhua that the…

Deforestation in Brazil, vote in Argentina endanger EU-Mercosur pact

BRASILIA, Aug 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazil’s backsliding on Amazon conservation under President Jair Bolsonaro and a likely Peronist return to power in Argentina could delay or even derail ratification of an EU-Mercosur trade agreement that took two decades to negotiate. Deforestation has surged since Bolsonaro’s election last year. His plans…

El Salvador: Verdict for woman accused of killing stillborn expected Monday

Evelyn Hernandez was sentenced to 30 years in prison for suspected abortion CIUDAD DELGADO (El Salvador), Aug 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The verdict in a retrial of a Salvadoran woman convicted of aggravated homicide after a stillbirth is expected on Monday, the woman’s lawyer said. Defendant Evelyn Hernandez, 21, has already…

UK: British PM Johnson to meet French Pres Macron, German Chancellor Merkel next week

LONDON, Aug 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will travel to meet his French and German counterparts on Tuesday and Wednesday next week, in his first foreign engagements since becoming prime minister last month. Johnson is seeking to persuade European Union leaders to reopen Brexit talks or face…

Mexico deport ‘Islamist’ detained at migrant centre to US

Mexican National Guard patrols the banks of the Suchiate River in Chiapas State, Mexico MEXICO CITY, Aug 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexico said it arrested a US citizen suspected of backing jihadist groups who was being housed at a migrant detention center and deported him to the United States. The Mexican…

Mexico does not want El Paso shooter executed: Pres Obrador

El Paso suspect MEXICO CITY, Aug 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that Mexico does not want the El Paso shooter who killed 22 people – targeting Mexicans – to be executed, and will seek to extradite him from the United States. The confessed shooter in the mass killing…