News in Brief -(15-07-2019)

FE Team | Published: July 14, 2019 23:03:24

Sudan's military announces resumption of talks
KHARTOUM, July 14: Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC) announced resumption of talks with the opposition Freedom and Change Alliance on Saturday evening to discuss the constitutional declaration, which determines powers of the transitional period authorities. "Saturday's session will discuss the Constitutional Declaration as set by the mediation. The session will convene at 8:00 pm Sudan local time at Corinthia Hotel," said the TMC in a statement Saturday. — Xinhua
Tropical storm Barry pelts Louisiana
INTRACOASTAL CITY, July 14: Authorities warned of heavy rain and possible tornadoes throughout Sunday as major storm Barry buffeted Louisiana, though there were few indications of widespread flooding. After briefly becoming the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, Barry was downgraded to a tropical storm after making landfall - but it nevertheless packed a serious punch as it moved inland. All flights in and out of the airport in the state's biggest city New Orleans were cancelled. — AFP
Kenya calls for joint counter-terrorism efforts
NAIROBI, July 14: Kenya on Saturday called on the world to unite in the fight against global terrorism after Somali militant group al-Shabab killed 26 people, among them three Kenyans, in southern Somalia. Monica Juma, foreign affairs cabinet secretary, also urged the international community to hasten the listing of al-Shabab as a terrorist organization under the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1267 to help deal with the al-Qaida allied terrorist group. — Xinhua
Calls to sack Israeli minister over gay comments
JERUSALEM, July 14: Israeli Education Minister Rafi Peretz has spoken of his belief in therapy to convert gays to heterosexuality and claimed he has engaged in the practice, leading to calls for him to be sacked. The comments late Saturday in a television interview were only the latest controversial views voiced by the recently installed minister who heads a far-right party popular with Israeli settlers. Asked by Israel's Channel 12 whether he was in favour of so-called conversion therapy and if he believed he could change a gay person. — AFP