US says North Korea missiles don’t impact negotiations

WASHINGTON, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo downplayed North Korea’s latest missile launches, saying they won’t alter the prospects for negotiations on Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons. One day after North Korea called a new round of short-range missiles a “warning” against joint US-South Korea military exercises, Pompeo on…

Botswana’s private coal mine produces first saleable coal

GABORONE, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Botswana’s privately owned coal mine has produced its first saleable coal that has been exported to South Africa and Namibia, the chief executive of the company that owns the mine said. The Masama Coal Mine has extracted roughly 39,000 tonnes of coal since July and…

Tunisia: Defense Minister Zbidi submits bid to run for president

Tunisian Defence Minister Abdelkarim Zbidi TUNIS, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tunisian Defence Minister Abdelkarim Zbidi submitted his candidacy for a presidential election on Sept 15 as an independent on Wednesday and said he would resign from government. Zbidi, 69, who has the support of secular parties including Nidaa Tounes and…

Venezuela: Pres Maduro halts talks with opposition after US sanctions

CARACAS, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduroblamed Washington in cancelling scheduled talks with the political opposition, as his embattled government struggles under the weight of USsanctions. US President Donald Trump on Monday ordered a freeze on all Venezuelangovernment assets in the United States and barred transactions with itsauthorities.…

Mediterranean Sea crossing: Ethiopian village mourns death of 15 young migrants

ADDIS ABABA, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A village in northern Ethiopia is in mourning after learning about the death of 15 young migrants from their community.They lost their lives while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Libya in a bid to reach Europe.The migrants were high school students from…

Kenya: Woman MP kicked out of parliament for carrying baby

Zulekha Hassan and her baby NAIROBI, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A woman MP in Kenya has been kicked out of parliament in the capital, Nairobi, for taking her baby into the chamber.Zulekha Hassan said she had “had an emergency” and had to take her baby to work.Parliamentary proceedings which were…

UK seizes nearly $50m worth of heroin, one of its largest heroin busts ever

Approximately 398 kilograms of heroin was removed from a shipping container. LONDON, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — In one of the largest ever seizures of heroin in UK history, British law enforcement have seized £40 million worth of the drug after an international operation, the country’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said.Officers…

US mass shootings: Pres Trump visits Dayton and El Paso

 Demonstrators stand at a protest against Trump’s visit in El Paso, Texas EL PASO (Texas, US), Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump has visited emergency workers in El Paso, Texas – one of two cities shaken by mass shootings that took 31 lives.Hispanic people were targeted in an…

Puerto Rico swears in Wanda Vázquez as new governor

Wanda Vázquez, left, was sworn in with her husband and daughter by her side SAN JUAN, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) –Puerto Rico’s Justice Secretary Wanda Vázquez has been sworn in as the US territory’s new governor, hours after her predecessor was forced to stand down by the Supreme Court.She is the…

Nigeria: Street begging now a punishable offence in Borno state

ABUJA, Aug 7 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — A law that bans street begging in northeastern Nigeria has come into effect. Effective Monday the government of the Borno State will prosecute individuals caught begging within the metropolis, especially at roundabouts, junctions and traffic light stands. A mobile court has been established to deal…