Argentina’s economy lifting out of recession: activity rises in May for the first time in a year

BUENOS AIRES, July 27 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Argentina’s economic activity rose for the first time in over a year in May, a rare boost for President Mauricio Macri as he looks to dig the South American country out of a crippling recession ahead of presidential elections later this year. The 2.6%…

DR Congo: President Tshisekedi and predecessor Kabila agree on division of cabinet posts

KINSHASA, July 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Allies of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi and his predecessor Joseph Kabila said they had reached an agreement on the division of cabinet posts between the two political camps. Negotiations have dragged on since Tshisekedi’s inauguration in January. They have been seen as a test of…

Tanzania to shut part of wildlife preserve to big game hunters

DAR ES SALAAM, July 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tanzanian President John Magufuli ordered the sprawling Selous Game Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to be split in two to restrict the access of big game hunters. Covering 50,000 sq km, the Selous reserve is one of the largest protected areas in Africa,…

Zimbabwe tourism minister charged with corruption worth $95 million

HARARE, July 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwean Tourism Minister Prisca Mupfumira was charged in court on Friday with corruption involving $95 million from the state pension fund after questioning by the newly formed Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). Mupfumira is the first senior government official to be interrogated by the commission, which…

Ecuador to require visas for Venezuelan migrants – Moreno

QUITO, July 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno signed a decree requiring Venezuelan citizens, who until now could cross the border with a passport or other form of identification, to have a visa to enter the country. The measure “will also normalise the status of Venezuelan nationals that are…

Thousands of Colombians march to protest activist killings

BOGOTA, July 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands marched in cities around Colombia in protest of the murder of hundreds of human rights activists, a spat of deadly violence which the country has been unable to quell in spite of a 2016 peace deal with Marxist rebels. The killings, attributed to a…

Mexican gov’t seeks rules for energy investment: Pres Obrador

MEXICO CITY, July 27 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Mexican government has set up a negotiation table with businesses to establish “clear rules” for investment in the energy sector, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said. At his morning press conference, the president referred to a meeting held Wednesday with leaders from the…

Venezuela seizes over 54 tons of drugs in 2 years: top prosecutor

CARACAS, July 27 (NNN-Xinhua) — Venezuelan authorities have seized more than 54 tons of drugs in less than two years, Prosecutor General Tarek William Saab said. The top prosecutor, while presenting an overview of his tenure that began on August 2017, said that 35 tons were cocaine. “We have lodged…

Mexico to restore two immigration stations on U.S. border

MEXICO CITY, July 27 (NNN-Xinhua) — Mexico will restore two immigration centers on the northern border as part of a project to improve conditions and expedite processing for new immigrants, the Mexican Foreign Ministry said. The National Institute of Migration (INM) stations are located in the cities of Hermosillo in…

Venezuela’s Supreme Court nullifies opposition’s attempt to rejoin Rio Pact

CARACAS, July 27 (NNN-Xinhua) — Venezuela’s Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) annulled the opposition-controlled National Assembly’s decision to reinstate the country into the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, commonly known as the Rio Pact. TSJ Constitutional Chamber President Juan Jose Mendoza declared the absolute nullity and lack of legal effects…