UN calls for unity as Somalia marks 59th independence anniversary

MOGADISHU, July 3 (NNN-GNA) — The United Nations top envoy in Somalia called for unity despite various challenges as Somalia marked 59th anniversary of their country’s independence.James Swan, special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia said the international community has been working closely with leaders to achieve progress on…

Burundi to rename key buildings, streets to reflect sovereignty – Pres Nkurunziza

BUJUMBURA, July 3 (NNN-GNA) — Burundi will rename some of its key streets and buildings to reflect the sovereignty of the central African country, President Pierre Nkurunziza said in a message to the nation to commemorate Independence Day.Burundi gained independence on July 1, 1962 from Belgium.The new names, many of…

No passports for Zimbabweans as economic crisis deepens

HARARE, July 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabweans are bemoaning the latest shortage that they have to deal with, following confirmation by officials that the country’s passport-issuing service has ground to a halt.Applicants for new or renewed passports face an indefinite wait as the government does not have the foreign currency to…

Zimbabwe energy minister agitates for electricity tariff increase

Fortune Chasi, Zimbabwe Energy Minister HARARE, July 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe’s energy minister Fortune Chasi is agitating for an electricity tariff increase.The minister argued that current charges do not reflect the cost of producing and procuring power – despite recent utterances by finance minister Mthuli Ncube that the government was…

Over 50 Nigerians killed whiles siphoning fuel from crashed tanker

ABUJA, July 3 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — At least 50 people were killed in Nigeria when fuel from a crashed truck that they were siphoning up caught fire, a spokesman for the governor in central Benue state said.“A tanker loaded with fuel fell Monday and people were scooping its products when it…

Peru: Locals enjoy spectacular partial solar eclipse in Arequipa

AREQUIPA (Arequipa region, PERU), July 3 (NNN-ANDINA) — Wearing special glasses and with great excitement, many locals watched the partial solar eclipse at Sachaca municipal stadium in Arequipa region, with darkness peaking at 3:45 PM. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon gets between Earth and the sun, casting a…

Peru Fin Min: Economy recovered in June 2019

LIMA, July 3 (NNN-ANDINA) — Peruvian economy recovered again in June. It may have registered a growth rate between 3.5% and 3.7%, according to some leading indicators, Economy and Finance Minister Carlos Oliva has affirmed. He said the lower growth rate posted in the first months of 2019 was mainly…

Jesus, Firmino send Brazil into Copa America final as Messi fails again

BELO HORIZONTE (Brazil), July 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino scored the goals as Brazil beat arch-rivals Argentina 2-0 on Tuesday to qualify for the Copa America final. Played in a white-hot atmosphere and with tempers threatening to boil over, Argentina came close to scoring themselves but both…

Libya: At least 40 killed in strike on migrant centre

TRIPOLI, July 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 40 migrants were killed and more than 80 wounded in an air strike on their detention centre in a suburb of the Libyan capital Tripoli, an emergency services spokesman said. “This is a preliminary assessment and the toll could rise,” said spokesman Osama…

US-Mexico border: ‘Dangerous overcrowding’ decried at Texas migrant detention centers

WASHINGTON, July 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) –The inspector general for the US Department of Homeland Security warned about “dangerous overcrowding” in migrant detention facilities in Texas. The report by the agency watchdog came a day after a group of Democratic lawmakers toured detention centers for undocumented immigrants in the state bordering Mexico…