Assange aide arrested trying to leave Ecuador: official

QUITO, April 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A collaborator of WikiLeaks founderJulian Assange was arrested Thursday in Ecuador while trying to flee toJapan, the South American country’s interior minister said. The minister, Maria Paula Romo, did not name the person or give theiridentity. She said the person was very close to Assange,…

NZ man admits abusing Muslims at Christchurch mosque

CHRISTCHURCH (New Zealand), April 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A 33-year-old New Zealand man pleaded guilty Friday to harassing Muslims outside one of the Christchurch mosques where dozens were gunned down in a massacre last month,but said he can’t remember anything about it. Daniel Nicholas Tuapawa was said to have been shocked…

Pyongyang replaces nominal head of state: KCNA

SEOUL, April 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — North Korea has replaced its nominal head of state — who represents Pyongyang in international engagements — with a man under US sanctions for alleged human rights abuses, state media reported Friday. Kim Yong Nam, who held the position for almost 20 years, was replaced…

Update: Sudan army imposes night-time curfew after ousting Bashir

KHARTOUM, April 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Sudanese army imposed a night-time curfew across the country after toppling veteran leader Omar al-Bashir. “I announce a curfew for a month from 10:00 pm (2000 GMT) to 4:00 am (0200) GMT,” Defence Minister Awad Ibnouf said. For five nights in a row protesters…

US urges Sudan army to bring civilians into government

WASHINGTON, April 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States urgedSudan’s army to bring civilians into government after ousting veteran leader Omar al-Bashir, saying an announced two-year timeline was too long. Washington calls “on transitional authorities to exercise restraint and toallow space for civilian participation within the government,” StateDepartment spokesman Robert Palladino…

Finland for continuing int’l pressure on Myanmar for Rohingya repatriation

DHAKA, April 12 (NNN-BSS) — Non-resident Ambassador of Finland to Bangladesh Nina Vaskunlahti called for continuing international pressure on Myanmar to take back its Rohingya nationals from Bangladesh. “The world community will have to keep up pressure on the Myanmar government to take back their citizens from Bangladesh,” she said.…

Mexico marks centennial of Zapata’s death with stamps, lottery

MEXICO CITY, April 11 (NNN-EFE) — The government said it was marking the centennial of the death of Mexican revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata, who was assassinated on April 10, 1919, by issuing commemorative stamps, holding special lotteries, selling Mexico City Metro tickets with the legendary commander’s image on them and…

Mexico’s president rips press over fake news

MEXICO CITY, April 11 (NNN-EFE) — Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Wednesday criticized the news media for putting out unfounded reports in the past few days about resignations of officials that never took place. “This is a product of hatred and bad faith … They are very nervous…

Eritrea diplomacy hits top: Team visits Mogadishu, Cairo, Riyadh

ASMARA, April 11 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Eritrea’s diplomatic engagements have been vibrant especially in late March through to April 10. Foreign Minister Osman Saleh has been to six capitals in a space of two weeks. His most recent being to the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, where he met with the King…

Brazil’ finance minister optimistic about pension reform and privatizations

BRASILIA, April 11 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Brazilian Economy Minister Paulo Guedes said he is “optimistic” that Congress will pass a pension reform bill that will generate savings of 1 trillion reais (US$ 261.68 billion) over 10 years, in line with the government’s ambitious proposal. Guedes is also confident Brazil will exceed…