South Africa slashes cabinet size, appoints 50% women

JOHANNESBURG, May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday cut the number of cabinet ministers from 36 to 28, in a move he said would tackle the country’s “bloated” government and improve efficiency. Half the new ministers are women, making South Africa one of the world’s few…

Gas project critic Marape elected Papua New Guinea PM

PORT MORESBY, May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Papua New Guinea lawmakers overwhelmingly elected James Marape as prime minister on Thursday a former finance minister who resigned in protest against a massive ExxonMobil and Total gas project. Marape won the landslide backing of members of parliament after weeks of political manoeuvring that…

Colombia’s top court orders release of ex-rebel wanted by US

BOGOTA, May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Colombia’s Supreme Court ordered the “immediate release” of a former rebel leader accused of drug trafficking and shot down revisions to the country’s peace accord in a double blow for President Ivan Duque. Jesus Santrich is suspected of participating in the trafficking of 10 tonnes…

Peruvian president threatens to dissolve Congress unless anti-graft reforms passed

LIMA, May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Peru’s president threatened to dissolve Congress unless his anti-graft proposals are passed, raising the stakes in a power struggle with the opposition that could usher in a new period of political turmoil in one of Latin America’s most stable economies. Invoking a constitutional measure that…

Sudan’s opposition observes first day of strike, military says communication not suspended

KHARTOUM, May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sudan’s alliance of opposition and protest groups held a general strike on Tuesday as tensions mounted with the country’s military rulers over the transition to democracy. Dozens of Sudanese crowded outside their workplaces, including banks and hospitals, in the capital Khartoum while holding signs and…

Muhammadu Buhari sworn in as Nigerian president

ABUJA, May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) –Muhammadu Buhari has been sworn in for a second term as president of Nigeria at a ceremony in the capital, Abuja. The president took his oath of office in traditional dress – simple white robes and an embroidered hat. “I do solemnly swear that I will…

Algeria: Anger Over Death Of Hunger-Striking Activist Kamel Eddine Fekhar

Protesters came out on to the streets after reports of Kamel Eddine Fekhar’s death  ALGIERS, May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An imprisoned Algerian human rights activist, who had been on hunger strike for more than 50 days, has died. Kamel Eddine Fekhar was arrested in March for “undermining state security” and…

Amnesty accuses Myanmar military of fresh ‘war crimes’ in Rakhine

YANGON, May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Myanmar’s military is guilty of committing new “war crimes”, extrajudicial killings and torture in its fight against ethnic Rakhine rebels, Amnesty International said. The armed forces have deployed thousands of troops and heavy artillery across northern Rakhine state in recent months where Arakan Army (AA)…

Activists in Argentina launch new bid to legalize abortion

BUENOS AIRES, May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Lawmakers in Argentina launched a fresh bid to legalize abortion, presenting a new bill to Congress and resuming a battle that has divided the homeland of Pope Francis ahead of October’s general election. A vast crowd — mostly young women dressed in green, the…

Papua New Guinea PM resigns, throwing gas deal into doubt

PORT MORESBY, May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Papua New Guinea’s veteran prime minister formally resigned on Wednesday, easing a months-long political crisis and calling a multi-billion-dollar French and US-backed gas deal into doubt. Facing a vote of no confidence he looked sure to lose, Peter O’Neill told parliament that he had…