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…

Uruguay joins Venezuela, recommends travellers visiting US to take extreme precautions because of violence and hate crimes

MONTEVIDEO, Aug 7 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — After the weekend shootings in El Paso and Dayton, Ohio, which left more than 31 dead, Uruguay followed Venezuela and warned their citizens to exercise caution when traveling in the United States. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza advised citizens to “take extreme precautions or postpone…

Libya: UN-backed government steps up defence spending as war drags on

TRIPOLI, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Libya’s internationally recognised government has allocated 40 million Libyan dinars for its defence ministry, stepping up spending to fend off an eastern offensive as the war enters a fifth month. The government also granted each of its soldiers 3,000 dinars as a reward for fighting…

Poland to hold parliamentary election on Oct 13

WARSAW, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Polish president’s office confirmed that the country will hold its parliamentary election on Oct 13, which most pollsters expect the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party to win thanks to generous social spending and robust economic growth. Since coming to power in 2015 PiS has…