Ethiopian capital bans motorbikes to curb crime

ADDIS ABABA, July 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A ban on motorbikes has come into force in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, aimed at curbing crime.The city’s mayor said criminals riding motorbikes often robbed people.Takele Uma said businesses would be exempt, but delivery companies say they have been affected with their bikes…

Zimbabwe opposition MP charged with subversion

Job Sikhala HARARE, July 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A leading opposition MP in Zimbabwe has been charged with subverting a constitutional government by alluding to the “overthrow” of President Emmerson Mnangagwa before the next elections.Job Sikhala, who serves as the vice-chair of the main opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC),…

Nigeria’s National Assembly on lockdown after shooting – police

Police officers stand guard outside the National Assembly ABUJA, July 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigeria’s National Assembly was on lockdown on Tuesday after shots were fired outside during clashes between police and a group of Shi’ite protesters. Both sides blamed the other for the shooting. In a statement, police said two…

South Sudan: Pres Kiir ‘apologises for failing to pay civil servants’

JUBA, July 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Using a speech to mark Independence Day, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has apologised to civil servants who went without salaries for several months.Kiir said the failure to pay the money was “caused by weak governance” in the departments that are supposed to raise funds…

Leaked emails: US Pres Trump ‘disrespectful’ to PM May and UK, says Foreign Sec Jeremy Hunt

LONDON, July 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Pres Donald Trump has been “disrespectful” towards the prime minister and the UK, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said.His comments come after President Trump called Sir Kim Darroch, the UK ambassador to the US, “a very stupid guy” amid a row over leaked emails.He…

Mexico calls out Paris-based Louis Vuitton for using traditional pattern

MEXICO CITY, July 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Mexican government has questioned Louis Vuitton’s use of a traditional Mexican pattern in the design of a chair, less than a month after it sent a similar letter to another prominent fashion house.The culture ministry said in the letter dated July 5 that…

Washington DC hit by torrential rain, flooding

WASHINGTON, July 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Torrential rain lashed Washington DC and surrounding areas on Monday, flooding many neighborhoods and hobbling electricity and transportation networks. The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning as the storm hit, drowning roads and forcing closures of many major arteries. Airports and rail networks…

Southern Africa: Mozambique, Zimbabwe power deal done – Pres Mnangagwa

niamey (Niger), July 9 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — Mozambique is ready to assist Zimbabwe with increased supplies of electricity from Cahora Bassa, the Zimbabwean President has said. He was speaking on the sidelines of the just-ended 12th Extraordinary Summit on the Continental Free Trade Area after fruitful discussions with his Mozambican counterpart,…

Somalia: Al-Shabaab Kills 18 in Surge of Executions

MOGADISHU, July 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Somali militant group al-Shabaab has executed 18 people since last Wednesday, an unprecedented rate of executions for the group. Militants put to death four people in the southern town of Jamame on Sunday, immediately after the judge in an al-Shabaab court declared them guilty. Firing…

Libya: Plea to Save Lives of Migrants and Refugees in Tripoli

TRIPOLI, July 9 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — Countries such as Britain, the United States, Canada, France, Germany and Norway should offer emergency sanctuary to refugees and migrants whose lives are threatened by fighting in Tripoli, says the international humanitarian group, Doctors Without Borders. More than 3,000 people trapped in detention centres in…