UN warns against escalation of fighting in Tripoli

TRIPOLI, July 29 (NNN-Xinhua) — UN Special Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame warned against escalation of fighting here in the Libyan capital, which is witnessing a deadly armed conflict between the east-based rebel army and the UN-backed government in Tripoli. Salame made his remarks during a meeting with the rebel…

Sudan talks on remaining power transfer issues resume Tuesday

KHARTOUM, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Talks to resolve remaining issues between Sudanese protesters and ruling generals are set to resume Tuesday, a mediator and protest leader said, as scores demonstrated in Khartoum to demand an impartial probe into a deadly June raid on a sit-in.The two sides have already signed…

South Africa, Japan collaborate to address plastic pollution

PRETORIA, July 29 (NNN-SANEWS) — Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina has welcomed the R25 million Japan-South Africa collaboration project that is aimed at combating plastic pollution. The three-year project which was launched in Pretoria, aims to support the South African plastic industry to transition from conventional plastics to…

Dozens of migrants still stuck on vessel in Italy port

ROME, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An Italian coastguard vessel stranded in the Mediterranean with more than 130 migrants aboard has been allowed to dock in the Sicilian port of Augusta but the government refused to let them disembark until a deal is struck with the EU. “The Gregoretti berthed in the…

Storms claim three lives in Italy

ROME, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Freak storms and flash flooding following last week’s heatwave in Italy claimed three lives this weekend, including a young woman caught up in a mini-tornado near Rome’s Fiumicino airport. The 26-year-old woman was driving home at around 2 am Sunday when the mini-tornado lifted her…

Brazil police probe tribal leader’s killing, village invasion

BRASILIA, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Dozens of gold miners have invaded a remote indigenous reserve in the Brazilian Amazon where a local leader was stabbed to death and have taken over a village after the community fled in fear, local politicians and indigenous leaders said. The authorities said police were…

Puerto Rico: New twist in leadership crisis

SAN JUAN, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A political crisis over leadership in the US Caribbean territory of Puerto Rico took another turn Sunday when the designated successor to embattled governor Ricardo Rossello said she didn’t want the job. Secretary of State Wanda Vazquez, Rossello’s number two, was set under the…

Mexico, Honduras agree to create 20,000 jobs and stem migration

VERACRUZ (Mexico), July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A scheme to create 20,000 jobs in Honduras has been agreed between the country’s president and Mexico’s leader in an attempt to stem the flow of migrants toward the United States. Mexico, which is a stepping stone to the US for many from Central…

Pres Maduro says missing FARC leaders are ‘welcome in Venezuela’

CARACAS, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said two former FARC commanders from neighbouring Colombia whose whereabouts are unknown were “welcome in Venezuela,” a statement likely to fuel criticism that he is providing a safe haven for armed groups. Speaking alongside Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel at the closing…

DR Congo: Gunmen kidnap 2 workers at Banro gold mine – Army

GOMA (DR Congo), July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gunmen kidnapped a South African and one Zimbabwean worker at Banro’s gold mine in the east Congolese province of Maniema on Sunday, an army spokesman said. Dieudonne Kasereka, army spokesman for South Kivu province, gave no further details. The Canadian mining firm’s interests…