Europe elections: Bulgaria conservatives and liberals in a close race as votes counted

SOFIA, April 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Conservatives and liberals were in a close race as votes were counted after Bulgaria’s fifth election in two years on Sunday, while a pro-Russian party made gains with the country deeply divided over the war in Ukraine. Russia’s invasion of its neighbour has deepened a…

Europe elections: Novice politician Jakov Milatovic wins Montenegro presidency

PODGORICA, April 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Economy expert and political novice Jakov Milatovic won the presidential runoff election in Montenegro on Sunday, defeating the pro-Western incumbent who has been in power for more than three decades in the small NATO member nation in Europe, the candidates and polls said. Milatovic, who…

Europe elections: Finland’s centre-right leader claims general election victory

National Coalition Party leader, Petteri Orpo HELSINKI, April 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Finland’s centre-right leader claimed victory in Sunday’s tight general election that saw the far-right post a record score to come in second, as Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Social Democrats finished third. “This was a great victory,” the 53-year-old head…

Venezuela corruption probe nets 42 officials

CARACAS, April 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 40 people have been arrested in Venezuela in an anti-corruption drive sweep of state oil company PDVSA and other related government bodies, the prosecutor’s office said. The crackdown began on March 17 following a communique issued by the anti-corruption police, who called for…

Ecuador landslide death toll climbs to 27

QUITO, April 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The number of people killed in a massive landslide in Ecuador has risen to 27, authorities said, adding that rescue teams are still searching for dozens of missing people after the tragedy struck nearly a week ago. Following torrential rain, a massive chunk of a…

Sewage leak caused typhoid outbreak on Dutch refugee ship

PARIS, April 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A typhoid outbreak on an old cruise ship housing asylum seekers in the Netherlands last year was caused by sewage leaking into the drinking water supplies, an investigation said. The Dutch government’s use of ships for asylum seeker accomodation has been widely criticised by rights…

Pirates kidnap some crew from Danish ship in Gulf of Guinea

COPENHAGEN, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pirates who seized a Danish oil tanker off Congo last week have abandoned the ship and taken some crew members with them, while the rest were found in good health, the ship’s owner said Friday. The Monjasa Reformer, which had 16 crew on board when…

US VP hails Tanzania leader as ‘champion’ of democracy

DAR ES SALAAM, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled Thursday an initiative to expand trade with Tanzania as she hailed the leader of the East African nation as a “champion” of democracy. On the second leg of her trip to Africa, Harris said EXIM Bank, the…

South Africa cancelled Tottenham Hotspur FC sponsorship proposal

PRETORIA, March 31 (NNN-SANEWS) — The South African Tourism Board has agreed not to proceed with the Tottenham Hotspur FC sponsorship proposal as advised by Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille. De Lille received a letter from the SA Tourism Board Chairperson stating that they are no longer considering the proposed…

Ex-Pres Bolsonaro returns to Brazil for first time since election loss

Jair Bolsonaro during a meeting with the party’s lawmakers at the Liberal Party headquarters in Brasilia BRASILIA, March 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ex-president Jair Bolsonaro returned home to Brazil Thursday from three months of self-imposed exile in the United States, vowing to be a fierce opponent to his successor, Luiz Inacio…