Bangladesh seeks sustained global pressure to repatriate Rohingyas

Photo courtesy of bssnews.net DHAKA, April 8 (NNN-BSS) — Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called upon the international community, including the United Kingdom (UK), to keep up mounting pressure on Myanmar to take back the forcibly displaced Rohingyas. She made the appeal while visiting UK Minister of State for Asia…

Botswana’s ruling party picks president Masisi to contest October poll

GABORONE, April 7 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Botswana’s ruling party nominated President Mokgweetsi Masisi as its candidate for October’s general elections after his rival quit the race at the 11th hour. It was the first time in the history of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has ruled the country since independence…

UN appeals for extra $60 million to help Zimbabwe recover from cyclone disaster

HARARE, April 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations asked donors for an extra $60 million to help Zimbabwe recover from a cyclone that tore through eastern regions last month. The storm flooded swathes of land, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis caused by an earlier drought. It killed at least 268 in…

South Africa: Pretoria Permanently Withdraws Its Ambassador From Israel

Flags of South Africa and Israel JOHANNESBURG, April 7 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — International Relations Minister Lindiwe Sisulu says withdrawing South Africa ambassador from Tel Aviv is just ‘stage one’ in downgrading relations with Israel. The South African government has implemented what International Relations Minister Sisulu calls “stage one” of its programme…

Argentina combats violence in football: 128 hooligans banned from stadiums during four years

BUENOS AIRES, April 7 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — More than 100 members of Boca Junior’s ‘barra bravas’ – among them hooligan leaders Rafael Di Zeo and Mauro Martín – will not be able to enter Argentine football stadiums for the next four years, according to a resolution posted in the Argentine Official Gazette. The…

Heavy rains with flash floods in northeast Brazil and in Paraguay

BRASILIA, April 7 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Civil defense officials have reported that heavy rains in northeastern Brazil have killed at least three people and displaced 3,600, while apparently unrelated flooding far to the south in Paraguay has forced some 20,000 people from their homes. About 77 millimeters of rain fell overnight…

Ebola toll tops 700 in DR Congo

BUTEMBO (DR Congo), April 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Some 100 people have died in the Ebola epidemic in DR Congo over the past three weeks, taking the overall death toll in the latest outbreak past 700, according to health ministry data. Local people are now at least receiving vaccines on a…

North Macedonia ready to face increased pressure at border with Greece: official

SKOPJE, April 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — North Macedonia’s authorities are monitoring the situation at the southern border with Greece and are ready to face with increased pressure, North Macedonia’s Defense Minister Radmila Shekerinska said. Shekerinska was responding to reporters following the protests staged on Friday by hundreds of refugees and migrants…

AU urges concerted efforts against hate speech, xenophobia in Africa

ADDIS ABABA, April 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — The African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council urged African countries to exert more concerted efforts against an increasing trend of hate speech and xenophobic attacks in Africa. The council made the call in a statement issued on Saturday following decisions made during its…

South Africa: Task team to address attacks on foreigners

PRETORIA, April 7 (NNN-SANEWS) — A task team has been setup by government and members of the Diplomatic Corps to look into the sprouting of acts of violence against foreign nationals. The development was announced by International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Minister Lindiwe Sisulu at the conclusion of a meeting…