Peru President: ‘Operation Shelter’ to tackle frost in the country

PUNO (Peru), May 11 (NNN-ANDINA) — President Martin Vizcarra on Friday affirmed the Multisectoral Plan against Frost and Cold Spell —named Operation Shelter— will enable an adequate fight against extreme cold affecting southern Andean areas in the country. The Head of State indicated a new cold season is close, thus, it is…

Peruvian climber who died on Nepal’s Mt. Makalu to be cremated in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU (Nepal), May 11 (NNN-EFE) — The body of a Peruvian climber who was found dead earlier this week on Mount Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest mountain, was on Friday airlifted to Kathmandu for his last rites in the Nepalese capital. Mingma Sherpa, the managing director of Seven Summit Treks —the agency…

Peru PM: Government tripled budget for frost, cold spell

MACHACA (Cusco region, PERU), May 11 (NNN-ANDINA) — Peruvian Prime Minister Salvador del Solar said the Government has tripled the budget destined for frost and cold spell, compared to last year. “The Government is committed to reaching high areas, the ones it cannot reach adequately,” the Cabinet chief said.  Remarks were made…

Algerians call for year-long transition period before presidential election

ALGIERS, May 11 (NNN-Xinhua) — Tens of thousands of Algerians took to the streets on Friday to express their rejection of the presidential election scheduled for July 4, calling for a year-long transition period. The protesters hailed the jailing of former intelligence leaders and the brother of former President Abdelaziz…

Update: ANC win closely-watched South Africa poll with absolute majority

PRETORIA, May 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ruling ANC won re-election with an absolute majority in parliament, results showed, but with diminished support. The results, published by the electoral commission, are the party’s worst national showing since Nelson Mandela led it to victory in the first multi-racial…

Kenya arrests 75 tax officials on suspicion of corruption

NAIROBI, May 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Seventy-five Kenyan tax agency staff were arrested on Friday on suspicion of abetting tax evasion and bribery, the latest effort by authorities in the East African country to fight corruption. The staff have not been charged and are being questioned, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)…

US targets shippers for bringing Venezuela oil to Cuba

WASHINGTON, May 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on two shipping companies for delivering Venezuelan oil to ally Cuba in what it called a response to actions against opposition lawmakers in Caracas. The Treasury Department said it was taking aim at the Monsoon Navigation Corp., headquartered in…

Dozens drown on Libya migrant boat; Italy impounds rescue ship

GENEVA, May 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Dozens of migrants trying to reach Europe drowned in the Mediterranean on Friday and 100 more were sent back to Libya, the United Nations said, while Italian authorities signalling opposition to more migration from Africa seized a rescue ship. The UN refugee agency UNHCR said 65 people…

Two Argentine pilots survive plane crash in Costa Rica capital

SAN JOSE, May 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two Argentine pilots survived when their light aircraft crash landed on Friday in a heavily populated area of the capital of Costa Rica, officials said. The pilots climbed out of the wreckage of the plane after it came down in the Pavas neighbourhood of…

South Africa election: ANC set for reduced majority

An election official empties a ballot box as counting begins in Durban PRETORIA, May 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The governing African National Congress (ANC) is expected to be returned to office in South Africa’s parliamentary election, but with a reduced majority.With almost 76% of district results declared, the ANC has won…