Brazil: Pres Lula draws in center-right parties to ease passage of laws

BRASILIA, Sept 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced a shuffle that brings into his government two center-right parties once allied with his political nemesis, former president Jair Bolsonaro. Lula’s government handed over two ministries to deputies of the Progressives Party (PP) and Republicans, groups that held…

Sudan crisis: Hundreds flee Khartoum district after shelling kills 19

KHARTOUM, Sept 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hundreds of families fled from a Khartoum suburb where Sudanese army shelling killed 19 civilians the previous evening, activists and residents said. The exodus adds to the almost 2.8 million already displaced from the Sudanese capital — whose pre-war population was around five million —…

Children fleeing Latin America in record numbers: UN

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A record number of children from Latin America and the Caribbean are leaving their homes in search of a better life, risking disease, injury and abuse, a United Nations children’s agency (UNICEF) report said, urging a stronger humanitarian response. Driven by violence, destitution and…

WHO warns of ‘concerning’ Covid trends ahead of winter as hundreds of thousands around the world were currently hospitalised with the virus

GENEVA, Sept 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization (WHO)warned of “concerning trends” for Covid-19 ahead of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, calling for increased vaccinations and surveillance. While data is limited because many countries have stopped reporting Covid data, the UN health agency estimated that hundreds of thousands of…

Britain and France look to reset ties with state visit

LONDON, Sept 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British head of state King Charles III’s upcoming visit to France will underscore historic close relations between the two countries, London and Paris said. Ties between the two neighbours have been strained in recent years, largely over the UK’s exit from the European Union but…

Two women to vie for Mexican presidency in 2024

MEXICO CITY, Sept 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two women will compete for the Mexican presidency for the first time next year after the ruling party named former Mexico City mayor Claudia Sheinbaum as its candidate. Sheinbaum, a 61-year-old scientist by training, will face Xochitl Galvez, an outspoken businesswoman and senator with…

Sudan army chief visits Qatar on third trip since war began

PORT SUDAN (Sudan), Sept 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan travelled to Doha for talks with Qatar’s emir, Sudan’s ruling sovereign council said, his third trip abroad during his nearly five-month war with paramilitaries. Burhan and Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani will “discuss bilateral relations, issues…

Update: At least 73 dead after fire tears through South Africa building housing informal settlements

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 73 people have died and dozens more were injured after a fire tore through a five-story building in central Johannesburg which housed “hundreds” of informal settlements. The fire has now been extinguished, rescue officials said, and emergency services are conducting recovery operations. More…

Brazil: Pres Lula announces new ministry for SMEs

BRAZIL, Aug 31 (NNN-AGENCIA BRASIL) — As part of his efforts to develop over 2 million formal jobs by the end of the year, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he would create a ministry to deal with issues linked to small and medium-sized enterprises, assisting those who…

Ecuador: Multiple explosions rock Quito downtown in suspected car bomb attack

QUITO, Aug 31 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — A car bomb, believed to be loaded with two gas cylinders and dynamite sticks, caused multiple explosions in a commercial area of Quito on Wednesday night. The event is generating concern due to the ongoing climate of violence in Ecuador. Initially, the Ecuadorian National Police…