South Africa: NERSA welcomes imprisonment of criminals damaging Transnet infrastructure

Government has reiterated its commitment to combatting infrastructure damage PRETORIA, Dec 21 (NNN-SANEWS) — The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has welcomed the arrest and successful prosecution of criminals tampering with the Transnet pipeline to steal petrol and diesel. In two separate matters, a thief was sentenced to…

Canada bids farewell to plastic straws, cutlery and checkout bags

OTTAWA, Dec 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Canadian restaurants and cafes were no longer permitted as of Wednesday to offer plastic straws, food containers, checkout bags or cutlery to customers — despite a court ruling that such restrictions are unconstitutional. The regulation banning single-use plastics was introduced last year and was to…

US and Venezuela swap prisoners as tensions ease

WASHINGTON/CARACAS, Dec 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States released an ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in exchange for 10 American detainees and a fugitive dubbed “Fat Leonard” in a sweeping prisoner swap deal between the rival governments. US President Joe Biden made the “extremely difficult decision” to free Alex…

Sudan crisis: Hundreds of thousands flee Al Jazira safe-haven – UN

At least 250,000 have fled Wad Madani since Friday: UN WAD MADANI (Sudan), Dec 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 250,000 people have fled fighting in a Sudanese state once seen as a safe haven for those escaping the civil war, the UN said. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have…

Italian Court jails parents for life over ‘honour killing’ of Pakistani teen

Women protesting against so-called honour killings in Pakistan  ROME, Dec 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An Italian court has given a Pakistani couple life sentences for killing their 18-year-old daughter because she refused an arranged marriage. Saman Abbas’s body was found at a farmhouse in northern Italy in November 2022, 18 months…

Argentina: Pres Milei orders huge deregulation of economy

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Argentina’s new leader Javier Milei unveiled a series of measures to deregulate the country’s struggling economy, eliminating or changing more than 300 rules, including on rent and labor practices. “The goal is to start along the path to rebuilding the country… and start to…

Peru: Gov’t allocates US$1.2 billion for El Niño prevention and risk reduction

LIMA, Dec 21 (NNN-ANDINA) — Pres Dina Boluarte said that the Government has allocated a budget of S/4.5 billion (about US$1.2 billion) for the prevention and reduction of risks in the event of an eventual El Niño phenomenon. She remarked that these actions contemplate comprehensive solutions in prioritized basins, storm drainage to…

US: New York state to set up commission to study slavery, racism reparations

NEW YORK, Dec 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — New York state said that it would establish a commission to study reparations for slavery and victims of racism, following a similar undertaking in California, which pioneered the approach to such historical injustices in the United States. Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation creating…

French court jails Rwandan ex-doctor 24 years over 1994 genocide

 PARIS, Dec 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Former Rwandan doctor Sosthene Munyemana was jailed for 24 years by a French court for his involvement in the 1994 genocide of Tutsis. The 68-year-old former gynaecologist was found guilty of genocide, crimes against humanity and participation in a conspiracy to prepare these crimes. His…

DR Congo presidential elections: Voting extended to Thursday after delays at polling stations

At some polling stations police have struggled to control large crowds of voters KINSHASA, Dec 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been extended after widespread delays, opposition allegations of fraud, violence, and logistical setbacks. Voting in the country’s presidential and legislative elections began Wednesday…