Somali govt fires official over pro-Israel diplomacy tweets

MOGADISHU, April 1 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — A Somali government official was fired over controversial diplomatic tweets he made in respect of Israel and Palestine. Abdullahi Dool, until March 31 was the Director at the Foreign Ministry. It is reported that his public call for Somalia to establish relations with Israel is…

Sudan: Bashir, opposition opt for negotiations

KHARTOUM, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — After four months of street protests, Sudanese President Omar al Bashir and the opposition have reached a deal to negotiate a transitional government. However, the two opposition sides are yet to agree on the duration of the transitional government and its composition, as well as…

Another Vale mining dam collapsed: no deaths reported and “no contamination”

BRASILIA, April 1 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Brazil has suffered another mining dam collapse, though this time there are no reports of dead or missing. The Rondonia state environment secretary says the dam in Oriente Novo gave way after a waterspout damaged its structure on Friday. Authorities say there’s no risk of…

Sierra Leone bans industrial fishing for a month

FREETOWN, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sierra Leone has banned industrial fishing in its territorial waters for a month from Monday in a move to try to shore up stocks that was applauded by environmental activists. The government also decreed an April 1-30 halt to exports by major fishing companies “to…

Slowdown in GDP growth in Palestine in 2018 – statistics bureau

RAMALLAH, April 1 (NNN-WAFA) — Preliminary estimates indicated a slowdown in GDP growth at constant prices in Palestine in 2018 to reach 0.9% compared to 3% in 2017, said the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS). GDP increased by3% in the West Bank and decreased by 7% in Gaza Strip…

Palestine: Foreign Affairs Ministry condemns Brazil’s opening of diplomatic office in Jerusalem

RAMALLAH, April 1 (NNN-WAFA) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned, in the strongest terms, the position of the Brazilian foreign ministry and official Brazilian statements regarding opening a commercial office with diplomatic status in occupied Jerusalem. The Ministry considered this position a blatant violation of international legitimacy…

India: Four militants killed, three Army jawans injured in Pulwama encounter

SRINAGAR (Kashmir), AprIL 1 (NNN-PTI) — Four militants were killed while three Army jawans and a police personnel were injured in an encounter in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, police said. On a credible input about presence of militants in Lassipora area of south kashmir’s Pulwama district, security forces…

Update: Run-off between Zelensky, Poroshenko likely in Ukrainian presidential race

KIEV, April 1 (NNN-Xinhua) — Ukraine held its presidential election on Sunday and a run-off is likely between actor Volodymyr Zelensky and incumbent President Petro Poroshenko as none of the 39 candidates has won a majority. A national exit poll showed on Sunday that Zelensky and Poroshenko gained the largest…

South Africa: Ministers to meet African ambassadors over violent attacks

PRETORIA, April 1 (NNN-SANEWS) — International Relations and Cooperation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and Police Minister Bheki Cele will Monday meet with Heads of the Diplomatic Missions in South Africa following reports of attacks on foreign nationals. In a statement, Sisulu expressed deep concern at the recent spate of violence and…

Philippines: 14 killed in police operation; government said the dead were rebels but activists said they were farmers

MANILA, April 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Rights groups condemned what they called a “massacre” of 14 farmers by police in the central Philippines as authorities defended the incident as a legitimate operation against suspected communist rebels. Police say the 14 men on Saturday shot at officers with search warrants for illegal…