Burundi’s President Ndayishimiye hits out over gay rights and aid

President Ndayishimiye, a fervent Catholic  GITEGA, Dec 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye has said that homosexuals in his country “should be stoned”. Responding to a reporter’s question, Ndayishimiye, a fervent Catholic, said powerful nations “should keep” their aid if it comes with an obligation to give rights to…

Russia reopens Embassy in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso’s military ruler Capt Ibrahim Traoré attended a Russia-Africa summit in July OUAGADOUGOU, Dec 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia has reopened its embassy in Burkina Faso after it was shut more than 30 years ago, officials have said. Burkina Faso was a close ally of former colonial power France, but…

Peru: Health Ministry rules out COVID-19 wave, urges people to get vaccinated

LIMA, Dec 30 (NNN-ANDINA) — Deputy Public Health Minister Ricardo Peña called on the population to remain calm, since Peru is not facing a new COVID-19 wave, but rather is experiencing an expected increase in cases due to end-of-year holidays that lead to increased meetings and crowds in closed spaces. From…

Peru: New Talara Refinery will supply clean fuels to Peru and attract investments

PIURA (Peru), Dec 30 (NNN-ANDINA) — Pres Dina Boluarte affirmed that the new Talara Refinery denotes the largest development pole in Peru, adding that it will boost the call for new investments. Attending the ceremony marking the start of the new Talara Refinery full operation in northern Piura region, she remarked…

UN chief calls for unity, hope in New Year’s message

  UNITED NATIONS, Dec 30 (NNN-XINHUA) — In a video message released on the eve of 2024, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the world, reflecting on the trials and tribulations of the past year and offering a vision of unity and hope for the year ahead.   “2023 has been a…

Mexico says US agrees to keep border crossings open

MEXICO CITY, Dec 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that visiting US officials had agreed to keep legal border crossings open during a trip aimed at addressing surging migration. Lopez Obrador met for more than two hours with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other top…

Spanish PM appoints new economy minister

MADRID, Dec 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez appointed Carlos Cuerpo, who currently heads the treasury department, to be his new economy minister. Cuerpo, who studied at the London School of Economics, will replace Nadia Calvino, who is leaving to head the European Investment Bank, the bloc’s lending…

Liberia: Number of people killed in a gasoline tanker explosion increased to 40

MONROVIA, Dec 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Liberian officials announced that the number of people killed in the Tuesday gasoline tanker explosion in Bong district, central region of the country had reached at least 40 people. Health officials said many people are still hospitalized with severe burns and predict that the number…

DR Congo: 40 killed following heavy rains in eastern South Kivu Province

KINSHASA, Dec 28 (NNN-XINHUA) — Heavy rains hit Bukavu, capital of South Kivu Province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), causing floods and landslides and killing at least 40 people, local authorities said Wednesday. At least 20 people were found dead in Bukavu and 20 more were…

Turkiye: 11 killed, 57 injured after multi-vehicle crash during dense fog

ANKARA, Dec 28 (NNN-XINHUA) — At least 11 people were killed, and 57 others were injured in a chain traffic accident on Thursday on a highway in Türkiye, the state-run TRT broadcaster reported. The accident occurred on the Northern Marmara highway at a location near the northwestern Sakarya province. Seven…