Brazil resumes zero-tariff ethanol imports from US

BRASILIA, Sept 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States and Brazil saidthey had reached a deal for the South American country to temporarilyresume tariff-free ethanol imports, a political win for President DonaldTrump. Ethanol is a key agricultural export for Iowa, a battleground state in theupcoming US election, and the Trump administration…

EU and China to talk trade as tensions mount

BRUSSELS, Sept 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — EU leaders will hold video talks withChinese President Xi Jinping on Monday hoping to make progress on trade and investment, even as tensions mount between Beijing and the West over Hong Kong and the treatment of minority Uighurs. The virtual meeting between top Chinese officials…

Covid-19: Nigerian doctors suspend strike after talks

The government described the strike as ill-timed because of the coronavirus pandemic ABUJA, Sept 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Doctors in Nigeria have suspended their strike after holding talks with the authorities.The doctors had downed their tools on Monday to demand a pay rise, better welfare and improved facilities. Those on the…

Nigeria: Chibok students sit exams for first time since Boko Haram abduction

The abduction in 2014 caused international outrage CHIBOK (Nigeria), Sept 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Students in the Nigerian town of Chibok have been taking secondary school exams there for the first time since more than 200 girls were abducted by Boko Haram in 2014. Parents and staff in Chibok said they…

Covid-19: Scores of Senegalese troops test positive after peacekeeping service in Gambia

DAKAR, Sept 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Senegalese army says about a hundred of its soldiers from the peacekeeping mission in the Gambia have tested positive for Coronavirus. The military contingent composed of 600 soldiers was returning home. They have been quarantined in Toubacouta, a locality on Senegalese territory near the border…

South Africa halts deal with world’s biggest train maker over contract dispute

China’s CRRC is the world’s largest train manufacturer PRETORIA, Sept 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa’s rail freight company Transnet has suspended business dealings with the Chinese train manufacturer CRRC, over contract disputes, but it may have to reverse that ban to get its locomotives repaired. Transnet is taking legal action…

Covid-19: Zambia to reopen schools and bars as virus slows

Edgar Lungu, President of Zambia LUSAKA, Sept 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu has announced the reopening of schools and bars as COVID-19 cases begin to slow. Addressing parliament in Lusaka on Friday, Lungu said schools, colleges and universities would now reopen between Sept 14 and 23. Only students in examination…

Sudan declares state of economic emergency after sharp fall in currency

A Sudanese vendor waits for customers outside a grocery store in Khartoum KHARTOUM, Sept 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sudan declared an economic state of emergency after its currency fell sharply in recent weeks, setting up special courts to prosecute what officials called a “systematic operation” to vandalise the economy. The transitional…

Nigeria: Kaduna state passes law to castrate child rapists

There has been outrage over rape across Nigeria in recent months KADUNA (Nigeria), Sept 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Lawmakers in Nigeria’s Kaduna State have approved surgical castration as punishment for those convicted of raping children under the age of 14. State governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai needs to sign the bill for it to…

Greece: Moria migrants and islanders protest over new camp

Migrants have protested against the camp’s reconstruction LESBOS (Greece), Sept 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Thousands of migrants and refugees left without shelter after a fire on the Greek island of Lesbos have been protesting against the construction of a replacement camp. Almost 13,000 people had been living in squalor in the overcrowded Moria…