Death toll from attack on Mali herders rises to 157

BAMAKO, March 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The death toll from Saturday’s attack by gunmen on villagers in central Mali has risen to 157, a government spokesman said, confirming it as one of the worst recent atrocities in a country beset by ethnic violence. The attack, in which women and children were…

Mozambique confirms cholera cases among cyclone victims

BEIRA 9Mozambique), March 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Dozens of fragile patients poured into a clinic in the wrecked Mozambican port city of Beira on Wednesday, as the government said it had confirmed the first five cases of cholera in the wake of deadly Cyclone Idai. Thousands of people were trapped for…

Powerful party joins Algerian army in seeking Bouteflika exit

ABDELAZIZ BOUTEFLIKA- ALGERIAN PRESIDENT ALGIERS, March 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An influential Algerian party backed the army’s call for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to go in a managed exit plan that was quickly rejected by protesters demanding the overthrow of the entire political elite. The statement from the National Rally for Democracy…

Burundi girls held for defacing president’s photo freed on bail

President Pierre Nkurunziza GITEGA, March 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three Burundi schoolgirls arrested for allegedly scribbling on President Pierre Nkurunziza’s photo have been released on bail. The girls were charged with “insulting the head of state” last Monday and could face up to five years in prison. Their lawyer Nyanzira Prosper…

Cyclone Idai, Killing At Least 700, One Of Worst Catastrophes In Africa: UN Chief

UNITED NATIONS, March 28 (NNN-XINHUA) — Cyclone Idai, “an uncommonly fierce and prolonged storm,” was one of the worst storms to hit Africa, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. “Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi have suffered one of the worst weather-related catastrophes in the history of Africa,” he said in a plea to countries to donate to…

Venezuela Slams “Hypocrisy” Of Latam Countries With U.S. Bases

CARACAS, March 28 (NNN-XINHUA) — Venezuela criticized the “hypocrisy” of Latin American countries that object to its military cooperation with Russia, but welcome U.S. military bases on their soil. “The hypocrisy of regional governments that maintain U.S. military bases and personnel on their soil is surprising,” Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Arreaza said via Twitter.…

Venezuelan Gov’t Working To Restore Power In Wake Of Second Blackout

CARACAS, March 28 (NNN-XINHUA) —Venezuela has been taking steps to restore electricity nationwide following a second widespread blackout this month, the government said in a statement. The statement came after Venezuela’s main Guri hydroelectric plant again suffered a crippling attack Monday night, knocking out power across several regions. The authorities were working “to immediately…

African football spreads its wings by staging Super Cup in Qatar

DOHA, March 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A 20,000-seat stadium in Qatar capital Doha will be the unlikely setting Friday for the CAF Super Cup showdown between Esperance of Tunisia and Raja Casablanca of Morocco. The annual one-off match pits the winners of the CAF Champions League and second-tier CAF Confederation Cup…

Peru: PM confident in Congress’ approval vote of the new administration

LIMA, March 28 (NNN-ANDINA) — Peruvian Prime Minister Salvador del Solar is confident Congress will deliver the confidence vote to the new cabinet under his leadership. He confirmed that he will attend a Parliament session to present the Government’s general policy to lawmakers on April 4.  “We are confident the Legislative (Branch) will listen to us and…

Austria mulls disbanding far-right group over NZ attacker link

VIENNA, March 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Austria’s government said itwould disband a far-right group linked to the alleged New Zealand mosqueattacker if investigators determined it was a terrorist group. Officers on Monday raided the apartment of Martin Sellner, leader of theIdentitarian Movement Austria (IBOe), after it emerged that he had received…