Pope Francis begins the next stage of his Africa tour in Madagascar

Pope Francis ANTANANARIVO, Sept 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — True to his reputation as “pope of the poor”, Pope Francis starts a visit on Saturday to Madagascar, one of the world’s most impoverished nations.Arriving from Mozambique, where he pleaded for understanding and the renunciation of violence in a country riven by 16…

Nigeria: 7 killed following yellow fever outbreak

ABUJA, Sept 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — At least seven deaths have been confirmed following an outbreak of yellow fever in Nigeria’s northeast region, a local health official said. The two northeastern states of Bauchi and Borno have been affected by the outbreak which became known to the Nigeria Center for Disease…

Tunisia: 214 offenses registered during presidential election campaigns

TUNIS, Sept 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — Since the start of the early presidential election campaigns on Sept 2, a total of 214 offenses have been registered by Tunisia’s Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE). The detected offenses included the promotion of speeches inciting hatred and discrimination, the exploitation of premises and…

Update: Sudan welcomes AU decision to lift its membership suspension

KHARTOUM, Sept 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — Sudan’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the decision by the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC) to lift suspension of Sudan’s membership at the African Union (AU). “In the name of Sudan government and people, the foreign ministry warmly welcomes the AU-PSC’s decision to lift suspension…

Brazil offers condolences to Bahamas over hurricane losses

RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Brazilian government offered condolences to the Bahamas, which has suffered about 43 deaths caused by Hurricane Dorian. “The Brazilian government expresses their deep regret to the people and government of the Bahamas for the human losses and material damage in the past…

Brazil, Chile to bring Mercosur, Pacific Alliance closer

BRASILIA, Sept 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — Brazil and Chile said here that they will strive to bring the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and the Pacific Alliance closer. Brazilian Foreign Affairs Minister Ernesto Araujo and his visiting Chilean counterpart Teodoro Ribera jointly announced their decision to strengthen the ties between the two…

Russian manager ‘held in Naples for spying’ requested by US – media

MOSOW/NAPLES, Sept 7 (NNN-ANSA) — A top manager at ODK, a state-run Russian firm that produces engines, has been detained in Italy’s Naples at the request of the United States which accuses him of “economic spying”, Russian media are reporting. According to the daily Vedomosti, Aleksandr Korshunov, 57, is accused…

Brazil, Argentina agree on free trade in automotive sector by 2029

RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — Brazil and Argentina signed on Friday an agreement to have free trade in the automotive sector by the year 2029. Under the deal, the two countries will gradually increase the share of exports to three times the imports by 2029 when they will…

Cholera breaks out in Uganda as second rain season starts

KAMPALA, Sept 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — Uganda’s Ministry of Health said it has launched several interventions to contain a Cholera outbreak that has killed two people and 241 cases registered in the last three months. In a statement, the ministry said it is working with local governments and development partners in…

Tanzanian, Ugandan presidents inaugurate Chinese-built building

Tanzanian President John Magufuli (C-L) and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni (C-R) DAR ES SALAAM, Sept 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — Tanzanian President John Magufuli and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Friday inaugurated the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation (MNF) Building built by China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG). Both presidents commended CRCEG for its…