South Africa: Stats SA records decrease in number of employed persons

PRETORIA, Feb 21 (NNN-SANEWS) — The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) results for the fourth quarter of 2023 by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) indicate that the number of employed persons decreased by 22,000 to 16.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 when compared to the third quarter.  Addressing…

Gaza, Ukraine loom large as G20 foreign ministers meet

RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — G20 foreign ministers open a two-day meeting Wednesday in Brazil, with the outlook bleak for progress on a thorny agenda of conflicts and crises, from the Gaza and Ukraine wars to growing polarization.    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister…

Polish farmers block Ukraine border in grain row

WARSAW, Feb 21(NNN-AGENCIES) — Polish famers are staging protests against cheap Ukrainian grain flooding the market and EU regulations on pesticide and fertiliser usage. Tractors flying Polish flags blocked motorways and major junctions in almost 200 locations, organisers said. Blockades are also taking place at several border crossings with Ukraine.…

US gun violence: Student arrested after two shot dead in Colorado University dorm

 COLORADO SPRINGS (Colorado, US), Feb 21 –A student has been arrested after two people were found dead with gunshot wounds in a dorm room at the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs (UCCS). The victims – a 24-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman – were identified as Samuel Knopp and…

South Africa gun violence: Arrested 13-year-old pupil may be tried as adult for shooting headmaster

Gauteng province’s Education Minister Matome Chiloane JOHANNESBURG, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A 13-year-old school boy in South Africa, arrested after allegedly shooting and injuring his principal, may be tried as an adult, the prosecuting authority says. The boy, who has not been named, has been charged with attempted murder. His alleged…

Peru presents APEC 2024 priorities at Singapore forum

SINGAPORE, Feb 21 (NNN-ANDINA) — A forum held in Singapore was the stage where Peru presented the priorities and initiatives that will be developed during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum’s meeting to be held in Peru this 2024. At the meeting, entitled “APEC Outcomes and Outlook 2023/2024 Briefing,” it was made clear…

Pretoria says Israel ‘apartheid’ against Palestinians worse than in South Africa

THE HAGUE, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Israel is applying an even more extreme version of apartheid in the Palestinian territories than experienced in South Africa before 1994, Pretoria told the world’s top court. “We as South Africans sense, see, hear and feel to our core the inhumane discriminatory policies and…

EU extends anti-Russian sanctions until February 24, 2025 – statement

BRUSSELS, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCI3ES) — The EU Council has extended sanctions against Russia until Feb 24, 2025, in response to the occupation and illegal “annexation” of Ukrainian territories in Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, the Council announced. The Council imposed sanctions against Russia on Feb 23, 2022, shortly before…

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov visit Venezuela, where he will meet with President Nicolas Maduro

CARACAS, Feb 21 (NNN-TASS) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Venezuela with a visit. The republic has become the second point in the Minister’s working tour to Latin American countries. In addition to the talks with his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil Pinto, he is also expected to meet…

Residents free to return to village evacuated over Iceland volcano

REYKJAVIK, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Icelandic police said that residents of a fishing village evacuated due to multiple volcanic eruptions were allowed to return, adding that they believed few would stay overnight due to the state of the town. The roughly 4,000 residents of Grindavik on the Reykjanes peninsula in…