Malawi presidential election case hearing begins

Malawi opposition supporters have been protesting against the government for months LILONGWE, Aug 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Constitutional Court in Malawi has started hearing a case challenging the results the presidential election in May.The election was narrowly won by incumbent President, Peter Mutharika, but the opposition, who are challenging the…

Rwandans stopped from crossing to Ebola-infected city of Goma in DR Congo

Crowds at the border in Gisenyi where Rwandans are being prevented from going to Goma in DR Congo GISENYI (Rwanda), Aug 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Most Rwandans are not being allowed to cross to Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo over fears of spreading Ebola. This is despite the two…

Nigeria #RevolutionNow leader held under terror laws

Only a handful of supporters turned up on Monday for Sowore’s #RevolutionNow protest ABUJA, Aug 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Nigerian court has granted the country’s secret police permission to detain the organiser of planned #RevolutionNow protests for 45 days. Omoyele Sowere was arrested on Saturday accused by the authorities of…

British PM Johnson plans visa shake-up to attract science talent

LONDON, Aug 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled plans for a new fast-track visa route for “the brightest and best”, in a bid to attract the world’s top scientists to Britain after Brexit. The “shake-up” of immigration rules is aimed at encouraging elite researchers and specialists in science,…

US: A family of three killed as small plane crashes into backyard

NEW YORK, Aug 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three people were killed Thursday when a small aircraft crashed into the backyard of a home in a residentialneighborhood near Philadelphia, US police said. The single-engine propeller plane came down shortly after 6 am in Upper Moreland, Pennsylvania, around 32 kilometers from Philadelphia, according…

Convict Panama ex-president in criminal graft case: prosecutor

PANAMA CITY, Aug 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Panama’s public prosecutor asked a court to make an example of ex-president Ricardo Martinelli, who isaccused of spying on political foes, and of graft. Prosecutor Ricaurte Gonzalez said a 21-year sentence would be justified dueto Martinelli’s rank when the alleged offenses took place. Martinelli,…

122 Mexicans among 680 detained in US migration raids: FM Ebrard

MEXICO CITY, Aug 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexico said Thursday that 122 of its citizens were among the 680 undocumented immigrants detained in a major series of raids at food processing plants in the United States. Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said the government would provide consular assistance and “guarantee the adequate…

US: Pres Trump names new acting intelligence director as long-serving Gordon quits

WASHINGTON, Aug 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump announced that his respected Deputy Director of National Intelligence wasresigning, the latest chapter in a broad reshuffle at the top of thecountry’s spy agencies. Sue Gordon spent a quarter-century in the CIA before becoming second-in-command to outgoing Director of National Intelligence…

Ecuador: Women demand decriminalization of abortion in rape cases

QUITO, Aug 8 (NNN-TELESUR) — Dozens of women protested outside the Ecuadorian National Assembly in the capital of Quito, demanding the decriminalization of abortion in cases of rape. Lawmakers are currently debating penal reforms, including one that would expand abortion access. Holding signs that read “Surviving an abortion is a class privilege,”…

Uruguayan university opens center to foster China-LatAm trade

MONTEVIDEO, Aug 8 (NNN-EFE) — The University of Montevideo’s Business School on Wednesday launched a new China-Latin American Studies Center for Trade and Business that will seek, among other things, to be a “power plant of ideas” to improve relations between Latin America and the Asian giant. The center’s director,…