Pope admits priests, bishops sexually abused nuns

VATICAN, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pope Francis admitted that Catholic priests and bishops had sexually abused nuns, the latest scandal to rock the church. “There are some priests and also bishops who have done it,” the pontiff said in response to a journalist’s question on the abuse of nuns, speaking…

Zimbabwe teachers to strike, ignoring government appeal

HARARE, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwean teachers will go ahead with a national strike after last-ditch negotiations with the government failed, unions said, risking more unrest after violent protests last month. The main public sector union backed down last week on its plan to strike for better pay, citing a…

Mozambique busts ‘30,000 ghost workers’

MAPUTO, Feb 6 (NNN-ANGOP) — Mozambique’s government has discovered more than 30,000 ghost workers on the civil service payroll. The civil service minister said some were paid for jobs they had not done, others were dead or fictitious. The fraud had cost the government around $250m between 2015 and 2017,…

Brazil forecasts $273 mn in savings from pension reform

SAO PAULO, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazil’s government predicts it cansave up to one billion reais ($273 million) over a decade by overhauling itscostly pension system, Economy Minister Paulo Guedes said Tuesday. The amount exceeds the 800,000 reais previously forecast under thepreceding center-right government that had to limit its reform…

Venezuela’s military blocks humanitarian aid shipment

CARACAS, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Venezuelan military officers blocked abridge on the border with Colombia ahead of an anticipated humanitarian aid shipment, as opposition leader Juan Guaido stepped up his challengeto President Nicolas Maduro’s authority. The opposition-dominated National Assembly had earlier warned the armed forces, which make up much of…

Hailing diplomacy, US Pres Trump announces new N.Korea summit in Vietnam

WASHINGTON, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that his second summit with North Korea will take place later this month in Vietnam as he also reported headway in talks with the Taliban. Delivering his annual State of the Union address to Congress after beingpolitically battered…

Kabul must be involved in peace talks: US general

WASHINGTON, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Afghan government must be involved in talks between the US and the Taliban if a push for a peace deal is to be successful, a top general said. “Ultimately, we need to get to a Taliban-Afghanistan discussion,” GeneralJoseph Votel, the head of US Central…

Bangladesh to seek more Indian support to resolve Rohingya crisis

DHAKA, Feb 6 (NNN-BSS) — Bangladesh will seek more Indian support toresolve the Rohingya crisis as foreign minister AK Abdul Momen is set tovisit New Delhi in his maiden overseas tour since the Awami Leaguegovernment was formed for the third consecutive term. “Among other things, we want to consult with…

Top Cleric Urges Middle East’s Muslims To ‘Embrace’ Christians

Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb signed a “document on human fraternity”  ABU DHABI, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The head of Sunni Islam’s highest seat of learning has urged the Middle East’s Muslims to “embrace” local Christians. Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, the grand imam of al-Azhar in Egypt, told an interfaith meeting in Abu…

Ivory Coast Ex-President Gbagbo Released To Belgium After Acquittal

 THE HAGUE, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ivory Coast ex-President Laurent Gbagbo has now been released after his acquittal last month by the International Criminal Court (ICC). An ICC spokeswoman said Gbagbo was now on conditional release in Belgium, pending a possible appeal. The former leader was charged with crimes against humanity following…