UN to Malta: Drop terrorism charges against African migrants accused of hijacking tanker

GENEVA, May 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations human rights office called on Malta to drop terrorism charges against three African teenage migrants arrested for hijacking a small commercial tanker that rescued their vessel off the coast of Libya. The three, who have pleaded not guilty, were among 108 Africans…

Bush fire guts four villages in South Sudan, kills 33

JUBA, May 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A bush fire fanned by gusty winds has gutted four villages in South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal region, killing 33 people, the president’s spokesman said, adding the toll was likely to rise. The spokesman said in a statement that 60 other people were in…

Cuba cancels annual Conga Against Homophobia march

Cuba has held parades against homophobia for the last 11 years HAVANA, May 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The Cuban government has cancelled the country’s 12th annual march against homophobia.In a Facebook post, the state-run National Centre for Sex Education (CENESEX) blamed “new tensions in the international and regional context” for the…

South Africa election: Polls close in test for ruling ANC

Voters continue to queue to cast their ballots as night falls in Johannesburg, South Africa  PRETORIA, May 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Polls have shut in South Africa’s elections, widely seen as a test for the ruling ANC. The party is forecast to have a reduced majority following anger over the economy…

Several Fatalities Reported From Airstrikes In Southern Tripoli: UN

UNITED NATIONS, May 9 (NNN-XINHUA) — Amid repeated UN calling for a Ramadan truce in Libya, at least 12 airstrikes and several fatalities were reported in southern Tripoli, a UN spokesman said. “We can report that clashes have continued in southern Tripoli despite the UN mission’s call for a week-long humanitarian truce,” said Stephane Dujarric,…

Venezuela to prosecute lawmakers who backed failed uprising

CARACAS, May 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Venezuela will prosecute seven lawmakers who backed last week’s failed uprising orchestrated by opposition leader Juan Guaido, the country’s Supreme Court ruled. The court, which announced the ruling in a statement, said it asked Attorney General Tarek William Saab to handle the “criminal investigation” into…

Toll from Niger tanker truck blast rises to 60: authorities

Residents look at a calcined tanker truck after an explosion which killed 60 people NIAMEY, May 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The death toll from a tanker truckexplosion near the international airport in Niger’s capital, Niamey, hasrisen to 60, authorities said. The tally is likely to rise further as the prognosis is…

Sudan army rulers want to retain Sharia as legal guide

KHARTOUM, May 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sudan’s army rulers said Islamic law should remain the guiding principle in a new civilian structure, after protest leaders handed in proposed changes they want enforced but kept silent on Sharia. The 10-member military council, which seized control of the country after president Omar al-Bashir…

As trade truce collapses, US, China scramble to revive a deal

WASHINGTON, May 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The world’s top two economies on Thursday were due to resume trade talks just as a truce between them verged on collapse, with hostilities poised to escalate after months of seemingly collegial negotiations. Rather than sealing a deal this week — as officials in both…

Brazilian FM Ernesto Araujo forecasts peaceful change in Venezuela

ROME, May 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo forecast a peaceful change of government in neighbouring Venezuela while ruling out a military option. A supporter of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, Araujo said he hoped efforts to get Venezuelan military units to back Guaido would bear fruit. “There…