Zimbabwe: Doctors protest at ‘abduction’ of union leader

The march was the second consecutive day of protest action organised by the doctors HARARE, Sept 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Hundreds of doctors have marched through the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, to condemn the alleged abduction of their union leader. Peter Magombeyi had organised a series of strikes over poor pay and working conditions…

Spanish national basketball team returns triumphant from FIBA World Cup

Spain’s national basketball team’s Rudy Fernandez holds up the trophy during a celebration in Madrid MADRID, Sept 17 (NNN-XINHUA) —The Spanish National Basketball team celebrated their World Championship win on Sunday in China with hundreds of thousands of fans in the center of Madrid on Monday night. Spain’s second World Championship after the 2006…

Update: US singles out Iran, readies response to Saudi oil attacks

WASHINGTON, Sept 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States readied its response to the “unprecedented” attack on Saudi oil facilities as President Donald Trump said Iran was likely to blame, fanning new fears of conflict in the Gulf region. Trump said he was ready to help key ally Saudi Arabia after…

No breakthrough in Brexit talks as Johnson dodges reporters

EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson LUXEMBOURG, Sept 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson failed to convince EU leaders he has a serious plan for a Brexit deal, then ducked out of a planned news conference under a chorus of abuse from protesters. Before…

Trump authorizes release of oil from US reserves after Saudi attack

Smoke billows from the fire at an Aramco facility in Abaqiq, Saudi Arabia WASHINGTON, Sept 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Donald Trump announced that he has authorized the release of oil from US strategic reserves after drone attacks cut Saudi Arabia’s crude production by half. “Based on the attack on Saudi…

Six Cameroon soldiers killed in Boko Haram attack: authorities

Cameroon’s chief of defense staff General Rene Claude Meka YAOUNDE, Sept 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Six Cameroonian soldiers werekilled in an attack by Boko Haram militants in the far north of the country, authorities said. Nine other soldiers were injured in the Friday attack carried out ona military post at Soueram…

Colombia plane crash kills seven

BOGOTA, Sept 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least seven people were killed andanother three injured when a small plane crashed in southwestern Colombia on Sunday. “Nine people were on board the plane. Seven died, while two are seriouslyinjured,” Juan Carlos Ganan, the commander of firefighters in the area, said. The third…

Brazil: Pres Bolsonaro’s recovery period extended for a further four days

SAO PAULO, Sept 14 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro will need four days more than planned to recover from abdominal surgery, his spokesman said on Thursday. “The president of the republic’s team of doctors has decided to keep him away from the exercise of his duties… four additional days,…

Maduro will not attend UN General Assembly but will deliver 12m signatures denouncing US sanctions

CARACAS, Sept 14 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he will not travel to New York for the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly later this month, but that two of his envoys would attend to denounce U.S. sanctions on the OPEC nation. Maduro said Executive Vice…

South Africa’s deputy mines minister dies in car accident – Pres Ramapahosa

Deputy Mineral Resources Minister Bavelile Hlongwa  PRETORIA, Sept 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Bavelile Hlongwa has died in a car accident, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Saturday. Hlongwa, 38, who was appointed in May, died on Friday in an accident that also claimed…