Covid-19: Brazil to resume cruise season shortly

BRASILIA, March 4 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — One day after reports from Rio de Janeiro heralded wearing facemasks indoors may soon be over, the Brazilian Cruise Association (Clia) announced the resumption of the 2021/2022 cruise season as of this coming Saturday, March 5. The current season will feature 19 itineraries and will…

At least 18 killed in gold mine collapse in Guinea

CONAKRY, March 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 18 people were killed when an informal gold mine collapsed in western Guinea, a government spokesman said. The accident took place Monday in Gaoual, about 386 km from the capital Conakry, where miners have flocked in recent months to pan for gold. “For the moment,…

Kenyan President Kenyatta announces creation of a global environment award

NAIROBI, March 4 (NNN-KBC) –Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced the creation of a peace and environment award dubbed “Amani and Mazingira Global Award” as part of the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The President said the bi-annual award, which will be…

France: Pres Macron announces bid for presidential re-election

French President Emmanuel Macron PARIS, March 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — French President Emmanuel Macron officially announced that he would run for a second term in office in the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for April. In a letter addressed to the French people, Macron described the different reforms of the government and…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Russia to appeal to sports court against World Cup ban

 MOSCOW, March 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Russian football federation (RFU) said that it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against its expulsion from the 2022 World Cup and all international competitions.    Russia was due to face Poland on March 24 in a World Cup play-off.…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Fire at Ukraine nuclear plant ‘extinguished’, Kyiv blames Russia

 KYIV, March 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The fire at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant has been extinguished, Ukrainian emergency services said Friday, after Kyiv blamed Russian military shelling for the blaze.    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of resorting to “nuclear terror” and wanting to “repeat” the Chernobyl disaster after…

Pope Francis to visit DR Congo, South Sudan in July

VATICAN CITY, March 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pope Francis in July will visit the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, two African nations plagued by violence in which the pontiff has taken particular interest, the Vatican announced on Thursday. The 85-year-old pope will be in the DRC from July 2…

US says Iran nuclear deal ‘close’ but not certain

WASHINGTON, March 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States said that “a possible deal” on a new Iranian nuclear accord is close but several sticking points have prevented an agreement and time is running out. Negotiators meeting in Vienna to try and salvage the 2015 nuclear deal, which is meant to…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: 12 big cats evacuated from Ukraine arrive in Poland

A tiger is seen in the city zoo in Kyiv, Ukraine WARSAW, March 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Six lions and six tigers from a shelter for abused animals near Kiev arrived in Poland on Thursday morning, a spokeswoman for Poznan Zoo which organised the evacuation said. The Ukrainian truck, which covered…

Four migrants die of ‘cold and hunger’ in Tunisia

TUNIS, March 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The bodies of four African migrants have been found in eastern Tunisia, authorities said, saying they had probably died of cold or hunger after crossing the Algerian border. “Three bodies were found on Wednesday and another one five days ago in Haidra, Kasserine governorate” near…