Ghana’s parliament passes anti-LGBTQ+ bill that could imprison people for years

ACCRA, Feb 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ghana ‘s parliament passed a highly controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill on Wednesday that could send some people to prison for more than a decade. The bill was introduced to parliament three years ago and criminalizes members of the LGBTQ+ community as well as its supporters, including…

South Africa: R1 billion investment to boost tugboat availability

DURBAN, Feb 29 (NNN-SANEWS) — Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is injecting a R1 billion investment in its marine fleet renewal programme through the acquisition of seven tugboats aimed at enhancing marine operations at its commercial seaports. “The seven tugboats will replace marine craft that has reached its operational lifespan…

African nations adopt digital and social media guidelines

JOHANNESBURG, Feb 29 (NNN-SANEWS) — The Association of African Election Authorities (AAEA) has launched a set of principles and guidelines aimed at getting the most out of digital and social media, while mitigating its potential harms. The guidelines, launched on Tuesday, emphasise the dangers of social media abuse, and call for…

Peru and Morocco reiterate interest in continuing talks for FTA

ABU DHABI (UAE), Feb 29 (NNN-ANDINA) — Peruvian Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Juan Carlos Mathews held a meeting with Moroccan Industry and Trade Minister Ryad Mezzour, at which he reiterated Peru’s interest in starting preparatory talks to reach a bilateral free trade agreement. Both dignitaries underscored the complementarity of their economies and…

UN peacekeepers begin pullout from war-torn east DR Congo

KAMANYOLA (DR Congo), Feb 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations kicked off Wednesday the withdrawal of MONUSCO peacekeeping forces from the Democratic Republic of Congo by handing over a first UN base to national police. During an official ceremony at the Kamanyola base, close to the Rwandan and Burundian borders,…

Airlines had their safest year on record in 2023: IATA

PARIS, Feb 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Last year was the safest ever for commercial air travel, despite a massive rebound in passenger flights, an airline industry group said. The only fatal accident of a passenger plane was the crash of an ATR turboprop operated by Nepal’s Yeti Airlines during a domestic…

World must act to stem surge of polluting trash, UN warns

 PARIS, Feb 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The world generated 2.3 billion tonnes of municipal waste last year and the pile of trash is set to grow another two-thirds by 2050, the UN said, warning of devastating costs for health, economies and the environment. Pollution is set to escalate, according to new…

DR Congo President Tshisekedi willing to meet Rwandan counterpart Kagame over eastern DRC violence

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President, Felix Tshisekedi LUANDA (Angola), Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi has expressed his willingness to meet with his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame to address the ongoing instability in the Eastern DRC.This statement came during Tshisekedi’s visit…

US: Nuclear weapons plant pauses operations over Texas wildfires; nearby towns evacuated

HOUSTON (Texas, US), Feb 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A nuclear weapons plant in the US state of Texas paused operations as wildfires in the area approached the facility, while nearby towns were evacuated. “Operations at the Pantex Plant have paused until further notice. All weapons and special materials are safe and…

Brazil: Large-scale police dragnet at favelas in Rio leaves 7 dead

RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb 28 (NNN-XINHUA) — At least seven people died and five were injured Tuesday in a large-scale police dragnet to capture criminal ring leaders at the favelas in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, according to the Military Police. Authorities made five arrests and seized a…