South Africa reiterates support for new Zimbabwe

HARARE (ZIMBABWE), March 13 (NNN-SANEWS) — President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated South Africa’s commitment to work with Zimbabwe in addressing the socio-economic challenges experienced by the two neighbouring countries. Ramaphosa made the commitment in his opening remarks of the South Africa-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Tuesday. The President…

South Sudan dismisses UN gang rape accusations, asks for peace funding

GENEVA, March 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Sudan’s justice minister Paulino Wanawilla Unango dismissed UN investigators’ accusations that fighting and gang rape persisted in his country and called for US$285 million in donations to fund peacemaking bodies. Unango was addressing the UN Human Rights Council after U.N. investigators found that gang rape remained…

US expands return of asylum seekers to Mexico to new ports of entry

WASHINGTON, March 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States is expanding its programme to send asylum seekers back to Mexico to wait out their US court proceedings and so far has returned 240 people since starting the programme in January. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the policy, which was rolled…

Ethiopia and France sign military deal, turn ‘new page’ in ties

ADDIS ABABA, March 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ethiopia and France agreed their first military cooperation accord, a deal that includes helping the landlocked nation build a navy, as Paris seeks to boost economic ties in Africa’s second-most populous country. On a four-day visit to the Horn of Africa, President Emmanuel Macron…

Venezuela give US diplomats 72 hours to leave, blames Trump for blackout

CARACAS, March 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Venezuela ordered American diplomats to leave the country within 72 hours on Tuesday after President Nicolas Maduro accused US counterpart Donald Trump of cyber “sabotage” that plunged the OPEC nation into its worst blackout on record. Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said US diplomats on Venezuelan soil must…

One man killed, Lebanese construction worker kidnapped in Nigerian city

KANO (Nigeria), March 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gunmen in Nigeria abducted a Lebanese construction worker and killed another man in the northern city of Kano on Tuesday morning, a police official said. The attack and abduction in the country’s second-biggest city comes amid higher than usual security as Nigeria is in…

Thousands demand quick change in Algeria after Bouteflika concessions

ALGIERS, March 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands protested across Algeria on Tuesday, demanding immediate political changes a day after ailing President Abelaziz Bouteflika abandoned his bid for a fifth term in power but stopped short of stepping down. Huge crowds gathered in several cities and Ennahar TV reported workers began a…

DR Congo: Violence May Be Crime Against Humanity, UN Says

A mass grave in the Bongende is thought to contain 100 bodies  KINSHASA, March 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A UN investigation says violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo last year may amount to crimes against humanity. It says at least 500 people were killed, including families burnt alive in their…

Oil Tanker Rescues 23 Illegal Immigrants Off Libyan Coast

TRIPOLI, March 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An oil tanker on Tuesday rescued 23 illegal immigrants off western Libyan coast, Libya’s Coast and Port Security Department said. “This morning (Tuesday), an oil tanker rescued 23 illegal Sudanese immigrants off Bouri oilfield, after their boat broke down on the sea, leaving them stranded for several days,” the department…

Guaido vows to oust Maduro as thousands of Venezuelans protest

Photo courtesy Guaido Twitter CARACAS, March 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaido vowed to take Nicolas Maduro’s place in the presidential palace “very soon,” as thousands of people took to the streets of Caracas to protest. “We need an office to work in, so very soon, and when…