Uruguay, Brazil agree to deepen fight against organized crime along the border

MONTEVIDEO, Aug 31 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Authorities from Uruguay and Brazil defense authorities have held bilateral meetings towards coordinating joint efforts along the border between the two countries to carry out operations against drug trafficking and organized crime in the area.  Uruguay’s Minister of the Interior, Luis Alberto Heber, explained that…

World’s first case of bird flu in porpoise: Sweden

STOCKHOLM, Aug 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A porpoise found stranded on a Swedish beach in June died of bird flu, the first time the virus has been detected in a porpoise, Sweden’s National Veterinary Institute said Wednesday. “As far as we know this is the first confirmed case in the world…

Niger: 75 dead in worsening floods; 108,000 people affected

NIAMEY, Aug 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Powerful rains that have swept the arid state of Niger since June have left 75 dead and affected 108,000 people, the government said on Tuesday. The previous toll issued by the Civil Protection Agency on Aug 14 was 32 dead and nearly 67,000 affected. The…

South Sudan’s former rebels join unified army

A supporter with US and South Sudan flags during the graduation ceremony for new members of the unified forces at Dr John Garang Mausoleum in Juba JUBA, Aug 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of fighters including former rebels from rival camps in South Sudan’s civil war were integrated into the country’s…

Kenya to start exporting chicks to Malaysia, Mauritius

NAIROBI, Aug 31 (NNN-KBC) — Kenya is at an advanced stage of sealing export deals with Malaysia and Mauritius for shipment of day-old chicks. The Director of Veterinary Services Obadiah Njagi says talks with the two nations are part of Kenya’s plan to increase live animal exports. Kenya’s annual chicken…

Russia’s Gazprom to halt Nord Stream 1 gas deliveries for 3 days

MOSCOW, Aug 31 (NNN-Xinhua) — Russia’s largest gas producer Gazprom would temporarily halt gas deliveries through Nord Stream 1 pipeline for scheduled maintenance from Aug 31 to Sept 3, TASS reported on Wednesday. TASS said that Gazprom’s only gas turbine remaining in operation would be maintained by the German company…

Brazil’s ex-president Lula leads polls ahead of October presidential race

Brazil’s former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva BRASILIA, Aug 31 (NNN-Xinhua) — Brazil’s former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has maintained his lead in the polls ahead of the October general elections. Lula, who represents the Workers’ Party, holds 42.3 percent of voter support, while current President Jair…

South Africa is not a xenophobic nation – President Ramaphosa

South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa PRETORIA, Aug 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa is “not a xenophobic nation,” President Cyril Ramaphosa has told lawmakers.Ramaphosa was answering questions in Parliament when he was asked about a recent incident where a government official blamed migrants for the increasing strain on public health system.The…

Update: IAEA sets off for Russian-held Ukraine nuclear plant

KYIV, Aug 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An inspection team from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is heading to the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, the UN atomic watchdog’s director said on Wednesday. “We are now finally moving after six months of… efforts. The IAEA is moving into…

US: NASA to make second attempt at debut moon rocket launch on Saturday

The Artemis I unmanned lunar rocket will propel the Orion crew capsule into orbit around the Moon WASHINGTON, Aug 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — NASA aims to make a second attempt on Saturday to launch its new Space Launch System (SLS) moon rocket, five days after a pair of technical issues foiled…