Nicaragua reiterates pledge to release people detained in protests

MANAGUA, March 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Nicaraguan government reiterated its pledge to release all people arrested during protests against President Daniel Ortega, though the government remains in disagreement with opposition groups about the number of prisoners. Amid a national dialogue about the political crisis that has engulfed the country, the…

Kosovo bans gambling after casino murders

PRISTINA, March 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kosovo has banned all gambling for the next decade in a bid to crack down on crime after two casino staff were murdered last week. Betting, on sports in particular, has become hugely popular in recent years in Kosovo, one of the poorest areas in…

South Africa sends condolences to families of victims of Cyclone Idai

PRETORIA, March 30 (NNN-SANEWS) — Cabinet has extended its condolences to the families of victims of Cyclone Idai, which has devastated parts of Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.  The cyclone left a trail of destruction, displaced hundreds of thousands of people, destroyed vast areas, cut off communication networks and made roads…

South Africa: April 2 deadline to object election candidates

PRETORIA, March 30 (NNN-SANEWS) — The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has reminded South Africans that they have until 5pm on April 2 to object to the nomination of candidates contesting the May 8 national and provincial elections. The election agency said there are over 10,000 candidates nominated to contest the…

UN chief urges efforts to tackle root causes of instability in Mali

UNITED NATIONS, March 30 (NNN-Xinhua) — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for strengthening efforts to address the root causes of instability and insecurity in Mali. The root causes should be addressed “through humanitarian aid and support for sustainable development, including programs on climate change mitigation and adaptation,” Guterres said…

US, China report progress in Beijing trade talks

PALM BEACH/BEIJING, March 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — U.S. President Donald Trump said that trade talks with China were going very well, but cautioned that he would not accept anything less than a “great deal” after top U.S. and Chinese trade officials wrapped up two days of negotiations in Beijing. The trade…

EU leaders to meet on Brexit on Apr 10: Donald Tusk

BRUSSELS, March 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — European Union leaders will meet on April 10 to discuss Britain’s departure from the bloc, summit chair Donald Tusk said after British lawmakers rejected a deal for a third time on Friday. “In view of the rejection of the Withdrawal Agreement by the House of Commons,…

Spain takes over EU anti-piracy mission from Britain due to Brexit

ROTA (Spain), March 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain on Friday took over from Britain command of a European Union maritime mission that combats piracy off the coast of Somalia as Britain’s planned departure from the bloc nears. Spanish vice admiral Antonio Martorell relieved British major general Charlie Strickland as commander of the…

Illness costs Africa hundreds of millions every year: WHO

PRAIA (Cape Verde), March 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization has estimated that disease strips hundreds of millions of dollars from Africa’s economic output, as the burden of untreated disease hugely outweighs the potential expense of healthcare. In a report published at the end of a three-day UN forum for…

UN food agency launches appeal for Mozambique relief funds

PARIS, March 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN Food and Agricultural Organization has launched an appeal for US$19 million in short-term aid for farmers, fishers and other food producers in cyclone-hit Mozambique, one of the world’s poorest countries. The three groups in three Southern African countries hit by Tropical Cyclone Idai –…