DR Congo shipwreck toll rises to 47: transport ministry

KINSHASA, Oct 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The death toll from the sinking of a boat in the Congo river last week has risen to 47, with many people still missing, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s transport minister said. The initial report by authorities from the northwest Equateur province on Sunday said…

Germany: Frankfurt Book Fair hit by Palestinian author row

Visitors at the Frankfurt Book Fair at the Messe fairground in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany FRANKFURT (Germany), Oct 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The postponement of a Palestinian author’s award ceremony at the Frankfurt Book Fair due to the Israel-Hamas war triggered condemnation Monday from high-profile authors, while several Arab publishing…

French trial opens over Vietnamese migrant lorry tragedy

39 Vietnamese migrants suffocated to death in a refrigerated container on their way to Britain four years ago PARIS, Oct 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A people-smuggling trial is set to open here Tuesday, four years after 39 Vietnamese migrants suffocated to death in a refrigerated container on their way to Britain.…

UN Security Council rejects Russian resolution on Israel-Hamas war

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN Security Council on Monday rejected a Russian resolution condemning spiraling violence in the Middle East, with delegates refusing to back a motion that did not single out Hamas for its surprise attack on Israel that left at least 1,400 people dead. The…

Colombian FM urges Israeli ambassador to leave the country

BOGOTA, Oct 17 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Foreign Minister Alvaro Leyva, called on the Israeli ambassador to apologize and leave Colombia in view of the actions against President Gustavo Petro who condemns Tel Aviv’s genocide against Palestine. ‘”The history of universal diplomacy will record as a milestone the senseless ludicrousness of…

Presidents Maduro and Lula discuss issues of common interest

CARACAS, Oct 17 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Venezuelan and Brazilian Presidents Nicolas Maduro and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held a phone talk on issues of common interest. The Bolivarian head of State revealed on X that they had a “pleasant conversation,” in which they addressed important issues of the cooperation…

President Ruto urges Chinese investment in energy, water and housing sectors

BEIJING (China), Oct 17 (NNN-SANEWS) — President William Ruto has urged Chinese investors to exploit existing opportunities in Kenya in the fields of energy, water and housing. He said Kenya will support foreign investors who can engage in the value addition of the country’s abundant raw materials, especially in the…

UN envoy warns of repetition of political crisis in Libya

Abdoulaye Bathily (on the screen), the UN secretary-general’s special representative for Libya UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 17 (NNN-XINHUA) — The top UN envoy for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, warned on Monday that disagreements over electoral laws and the formation of a new government carry the risk of another political crisis in Libya.…

Zimbabwe ranks among world’s top diamond producers

HARARE, Oct 17 (NNN-XINHUA) — Zimbabwe ranks as the seventh-biggest diamond producer in the world with an annual output of over 4 million carats worth 420 million U.S. dollars, state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation news reported Monday, citing the latest production statistics by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). In terms…

Mexican president vows to continue providing aid to Cuba amid “inhumane” US blockade

MEXICO CITY, Oct 17 (NNN-XINHUA) — Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said his country will continue its support to Cuba, including oil, amid the “inhumane” US blockade against the island nation. Mexico is an independent and sovereign country that does not require permission from any foreign government to offer…