Sudan parliament cuts state of emergency to six months

KHARTOUM, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sudan’s parliament approved a nationwide state of emergency of six months instead of one year as ordered by President Omar al-Bashir to quell protests against his iron-fisted rule. Bashir declared a year-long state of emergency from Feb 22 after an initial crackdown failed to suppress the…

Nicaragua: Ortega government asks opposition to resume peace talks

MANAGUA, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega’s government said it is prepared to return to the negotiating table to continue peace talks that stalled over the opposition’s demand for the release of political prisoners. The foreign ministry released a statement saying the government was committed to “continue developing…

12 dead in Brazil floods

SAO PAULO, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Floods caused by torrential rain in and around Brazil’s financial hub Sao Paulo killed 12 people and hurt six others overnight, firefighters said. In the town of Riberao Pires on the periphery of the country’s most populated city, four members of one family died…

Some 20,000 Iraqis could return from Syria in weeks: Red Cross

GENEVA, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Around 20,000 Iraqis in Syria, including women and children who fled Daesh’s last enclave, are expected to be sent home in weeks under an agreement with Baghdad, a senior official of the International Committee of the Red Cross said. Thousands of people – many of…

Brazil to sign accord with US on space technology next week

BRASILIA, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States and Brazil have negotiated an accord to safeguard US space technology the South American nation hopes will be used in commercial rockets lifting off from its launch site near the equator, the Brazilian government said. The agreement is being wrapped up in time…

President Andres Manuel Lopez insists Mexican economy strong, dismisses doubters

MEXICO CITY, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador insisted the Mexican economy is strong as he completed 100 days in office, dismissing critics who warn a climate of uncertainty could weigh on growth. “Fortunately, our economy is on the march. It’s still growing slowly, but there’s not…

Brazilian airline Gol grounds its Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft

SAO PAULO, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazilian airline Gol announced it was grounding its Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft following the Ethiopian Airlines crash involving the same model that left 157 people dead. “Given security is the number one value at Gol … the company … is temporarily suspending its commercial operations…

Pakistan insists will deal ‘firmly’ with militants: US security advisor

WASHINGTON, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pakistan promises to crack down on militant groups attacking Indian rule over Kashmir, President Donald Trump’s national security advisor John Bolton said. Bolton tweeted that he had spoken with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and “the FM assured me that Pakistan would deal firmly…

Children among 22 killed in Yemen strikes over 48 hours: UN

SANA’A, March 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Twelve children and 10 women have been killed by strikes in Yemen’s northern province of Hajjah in the past 48 hours, the United Nations said. Up to 30 people were reported wounded, including 14 children, several of whom “require possible evacuation to survive,” the UN’s…

Singapore grounds Boeing 737 MAX aircraft after 2 deadly crashes

SilkAir’s Boeing 737 MAX 8. Photo courtesy Singapore Airlines SINGAPORE, March 12 (NNN-CNA) — Singapore’s aviation regulator has ordered the temporary suspension of all Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into and out of the country, it said on Tuesday. “The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is temporarily suspending operation of all variants…