France’s constitutional court rejects large part of controversial immigration law measures

PARIS, Jan 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France’s Constitutional Council has delivered a blow to President Emmanuel Macron’s government by rejecting several measures within a controversial immigration law. Critics argue that the law is inhumane, and the council, in its statement, deemed 32 out of the law’s 86 articles contrary to the…

Guyana and Venezuela discussing Essequibo in Brazil

BRASILIA, Jan 26 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Diplomatic teams from Venezuela and Guyana are meeting Thursday in Brazil to discuss the dispute over the oil-rich Essequibo area in control of the latter since the 1890s. Venezuela claims the Essequibo -which makes up about two-thirds of Guyanese territory- had been a part of…

Peru: Machu Picchu protesters block tourist train tracks

Tour operators and residents demonstrate against the opening of online ticket sales to the Inca citadel as policemen secure the rail tracks near Machu Picchu Pueblo MACHU PICCHU (Peru), Jan 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Visitors to Peru’s iconic Machu Picchu site were met Thursday by protesters angry with the government for…

2 killed after small plane crashes in southeastern Brazil

SAO PAULO, Jan 26 (NNN-XINHUA) — Two people died after a plane crashed in a forest in southeast Brazil’s Sao Paulo state, local authorities said Thursday. The Piper Comanche plane, registered as PT-DKA, took off Thursday morning from a private airport in the city of Sao Paulo, with two people…

US completes first nitrogen gas execution

ATMORE (Alabama, US), Jan 26 (NNN-XINHUA) — The southern US state of Alabama on Thursday night completed the country’s first execution using nitrogen gas asphyxiation, according to a news release from Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. Inmate Kenneth Smith, a 58-year-old convicted of a 1988 murder and sentenced to death, died…

Russia, Ukraine trade plane crash blame at UN Security Council

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Moscow and Kyiv traded accusations Thursday at the UN Security Council after the crash of a Russian military plane near the Ukraine border a day earlier. “All of the information that we have today show that we are dealing with a premeditated, thought through…

Mali ends 2015 peace deal with separatist rebels: military rulers

 BAMAKO, Jan 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mali’s military rulers announced late Thursday the “end, with immediate effect” of a key 2015 peace deal signed with northern separatist groups, following months of hostilities between rebels and the army. The junta blamed the “change in posture of certain signatory groups” but also “acts…

Spain swelters in abnormal January heat

 MADRID, Jan 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain grappled Thursday with unusually warm temperatures for a winter month as a mass of hot air pushed the mercury to just shy of 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) in some regions. Temperatures reached or exceeded 20C at nearly 400 meteorological stations — almost half…

Kenya: Rise in donkey theft sparks urgent plea for action

NAROK (Kenya), Jan 26 (NNN-KBC) — Donkey farmers in Kenya’s Narok County have expressed concern over increased cases donkey theft within the region. Led by the Association of Donkey Owners of Kenya (ADOK) Narok Branch Chairperson Margaret Mpatiany, the farmers say over 50 donkeys have been reported missing in the…

Pres Ruto promises to eradicate corruption in Kenya

NAIROBI, Jan 26 (NNN-KBC) — President William Ruto has said his administration is committed to eradicating corruption in the country.  The President said robust measures have been put in place to tame individuals who are hell-bent on misappropriating public funds. The head of state assured Kenyans that the Kenya Kwanza…