Portugal: Center left wins presidential election first round, setting up showdown with far right

Portuguese Presidential candidate Antonio Jose Seguro LISBON, Jan 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — António José Seguro, a former head of Portugal’s Socialist Party, won a surprise victory in the first round of the country’s presidential election on Sunday, according to the national elections commission. With just over 31 percent of the votes…

Chile declares emergency as wildfires kill at least 18

Wildfires burn at sunrise near Lirquen, Chile, Sunday, Jan. 18 SANTIAGO, Jan 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Wildfires raging in southern Chile have killed at least 18 people and forced more than 50,000 to evacuate, the government said.Security Minister Luis Cordero gave the tolls for the blazes burning for two days now…

Spain: Two high-speed trains collided in southern Cordoba province leaves at least 21 dead, 100 injured 30 seriously

Some of the train carriages after the crash ADAMUZ (Cordoba, Spain), Jan 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 21 people have been killed and 30 seriously injured after two trains collided in southern Spain on Sunday in what the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, called “a night of deep pain” for the…

Uganda maintains social media ban after election

KAMPALA, Jan 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Uganda said it would maintain a ban on social media platforms, while lifting a nationwide internet block hours after Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner of national elections. The internet was blocked two days before polls opened on Thursday. While the government said that was necessary to curb “misinformation”,…

Danish foreign minister to visit NATO allies over Greenland

COPENHAGEN, Jan 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Denmark’s foreign minister is to visit fellow NATO members Norway, the UK and Sweden to discuss the alliance’s Arctic security strategy, his ministry announced. Lars Lokke Rasmussen first visit Oslo on Sunday, travel to London on Monday and then to Stockholm on Thursday. The diplomatic tour follows US…

Chile declares emergency after wildfires force 20,000 to evacuate

SANTIAGO, Jan 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency on Sunday for two southern regions where raging wildfires have forced about 20,000 people to evacuate their homes. Firefighters were battling 19 blazes across the country, 12 of which were in the regions of Nuble and Biobio, south of…

Argentina: Wildfires continue in Patagonia; ten provinces on alert

BUENOS AIRES, Jan 18 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Ten Argentine provinces are under alert for wildfire risk, as several fire fronts in Chubut and wider Patagonia have already burned more than 20,000 hectares. The Federal Emergency Agency of Argentina issued warnings of fire danger not only in the Patagonian provinces of Neuquén,…

High Seas Treaty enters into force, ushering in a new era for ocean protection

NEW YORK, Jan 18 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The High Seas Treaty, also known as the Global Ocean Treaty, enters into force on Saturday, marking “a historic achievement in ocean protection” and the start of a new phase in global ocean governance, EFE reported. Formally known as the BBNJ Agreement, the treaty…

Zanzibar records 10pc rise in tourist arrival in December

ZANZIBAR, Jan 18 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — ZANZIBAR recorded 100,739 international tourist arrivals in December last year, a 10 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024, underscoring the islands’ steady tourism recovery. Figures released by the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism show arrivals rose from 91,611 visitors in December 2024 to…

Tanzania launches a major campaign to promote domestic investment

DAR ES SALAAM, Jan 18 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — THE Tanzanian government has launched a national campaign to promote domestic investment in a renewed bid to ensure more projects are owned by Tanzanians rather than foreigners. The 60-day campaign is designed to educate Tanzanian citizens about the opportunities of investment sector found in…