South Africa: Electricity Minister Ramokgopa optimistic about the future as Eskom generation capacity improves

PRETORIA, Aug 14 (NNN-SANEWS) — Eskom has recorded a significant improvement with its energy generation moving from an average of 28 000 megawatts (MW) to close to 29 000 MW in the past week, Electricity Minister, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, announced.  “There’s a considerable improvement on the generation side, you can…

Niger coup: Deposed President Mohamed Bazoum ‘in good spirits’ despite detention

 NIAMEY, Aug 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Niger’s president is in “good spirits” despite being held in “difficult” conditions by the junta that deposed him, his doctor has said after a visit. Mohamed Bazoum, his son and wife have been held in the basement of his palace in Niamey since the coup on…

Morocco breaks heat record

RABAT, Aug 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Temperatures in Morocco have for the first time on record topped 50 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit), the North African country’s meteorological service said amid a scorching heatwave. The meteorological station in the southern coastal city of Agadir recorded on Friday the new national record of…

Argentina: Bird flu detected in dead sea lions on Tierra del Fuego shores

BUENOS AIRES, Aug 13 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Argentine authorities confirmed the detection of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 in sea lions found dead on the Tierra del Fuego shores. “The finding was made in 7 of 21 fur seals found dead in Río Grande, in the province of Tierra…

Berlin Wall’s 62nd anniversary commemorated in the city

Overview of flowering cherry trees at the so-called Cherry blossom alley, in Teltow, just outside Berlin. Cherry blossom alley, a 1.5 km long stretch of the former Berlin wall (1961-1989) planted with over 1.000 cherry trees BERLIN, Aug 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — On Sunday, Berlin and its surrounding area are set…

Army kills 23 al-Shabaab terrorists in southern Somalia

MOGADISHU, Aug 13 (NNN-XINHUA) — The Somali National Army on Saturday killed 23 al-Shabaab terrorists in the southern part of the country. The Ministry of Defence said the three military operations were conducted in Bula-Fuley in the Bay region, during which the soldiers destroyed three al-Shabaab bases. “The 23 terrorists,…

Kenya diplomat to lead Commonwealth observers for Zimbabwe Aug 23 elections

Kenyan Ambassador Amina Mohamed HARARE, Aug 13 (NNN-GNA) — Kenya’s Former Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed will lead the Commonwealth observer mission for the upcoming Zimbabwean elections on Aug 23.The forthcoming elections hold immense significance for Zimbabwe’s political landscape, as citizens eagerly await the opportunity to exercise their democratic rights and…

Nigeria century-old mosque collapse: At least seven die in Zaria

Tens of people were rescued from the ruins of the mosque ZARIA (Nigeria), Aug 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A mosque in the Nigerian city of Zaria has collapsed during prayers, killing at least seven people, officials say.Hundreds of worshippers were in the building at the time on Friday.An investigation is under…

South Africa mass shooting: Manhunt launched in KwaZulu-Natal for 6 suspects

Police wants anyone who has information to come forward JOHANNESBURG, Aug 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A massive manhunt has been launched in South Africa after a mass shooting in which six people died, police say.Four suspects allegedly shot the victims in Umzali, KwaZulu-Natal, before midnight on Friday, initial information suggests.One of…

6 migrants dead, 50 rescued from capsized boat in the English Channel

CALAIS (France), AUG 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An overloaded boat carrying migrants capsized before dawn Saturday in the English Channel, killing at least six people and leaving more than 50 others to be rescued, according to French authorities. About 65 people were estimated to have boarded the boat and two people…