US, Mexico reach deal to end tomato tariffs

MEXICO CITY, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States and Mexico said they have reached a deal to end US tariffs on Mexican tomatoes, imposed amid a surge in trade tension between the neighbours. The US imposed the 17.5 per cent tariffs in May, after the countries failed to renew…

Nigeria hails ‘historic milestone’ after three years polio-free

A ABUJA, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigeria announced that three years had elapsed since it last recorded a case of polio, a key step towards eradicating the notorious disease in Africa. “Three years without a case of wild polio virus is a historic milestone for Nigeria and the global community,”…

Mediterranean Sea: Ocean Viking rescue ship awaits port access in latest migrant standoff

Rescued migrants rest aboard the Ocean Viking MILAN, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two charities running rescue missions in the Mediterranean Sea have said Italy has ignored requests to allow their ship to bring 356 migrants ashore, exposing Europe’s latest failure to deal with African migration. The Norwegian-flagged ship, Ocean Viking,…

Kosovo parliament to vote on dissolution, paving way for polls

PRISTINA, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kosovo’s parliament will on Thursday hold a vote to dissolve the assembly and trigger new elections, a move that risks further delaying a deadlocked dialogue with former war foe Serbia. The vote comes after outgoing premier Ramush Haradinaj, a former commander of ethnic Albanian rebels…

Update: UK’s Johnson to hold Brexit talks with Macron after Merkel offers glimmer of hope

BERLIN, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Paris on Thursday, a day after Berlin offered a glimmer of hope that an agreement could be reached to avoid a chaotic “no deal” Brexit. On the second leg of his first foreign visit since taking office, Johnson will…

Sec of State Pompeo praises ‘US ally’ Denmark after Pres Trump cancels visit

WASHINGTON, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has praised Denmark amid a public row over Greenland that saw President Donald Trump cancel a visit to the country.In a phone call with Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod, Pompeo “expressed appreciation for Denmark’s co-operation” as a US ally.Kofod…

South Africa: Court rules display of apartheid flag constitutes hate speech

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A South African court ruled that displaying the country’s apartheid-era flag in public constituted hate speech that discriminated against black people and violated equality laws. The case relates to a 2017 demonstration against attacks and killings of farmers where the so-called ‘Apartheid Flag” was displayed.…

Mali: Suspected militants kill five troops in ambush

BAMAKO, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Suspected militants killed five Malian soldiers on Wednesday in an ambush in the West African country’s volatile centre, the army said, the latest in a string of attacks targeting local security forces in the Sahel region. The statement said the soldiers were travelling between the…

Sudan transition: Abdalla Hamdok appointed new prime minister

KHARTOUM, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Sudan has appointed a new prime minister as the country embarks on a three-year transition to civilian rule. Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said achieving peace and solving the economic crisis were priorities. His appointment comes as Lt-Gen Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan was sworn in as leader of the…

Brexit: Backstop alternative ‘possible within 30 days’ – German Chancellor Merkel

 BERLIN, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) —German Chancellor Angela Merkel has suggested an alternative to the Irish border backstop – a key Brexit sticking point – could be found within 30 days. Speaking at a news conference alongside British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Berlin, she stressed it would be up to the…