16 African countries agree to adopt Kiswahili as a formal language

DAR ES SALAAM, Aug 18 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — 16 southern African countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have agreed to adopt Kiswahili as a formal language in the region. ‘‘I am appealing to your excellencies to fast track the adoption of Kiswahili to be among the four official languages…

Measles claims over 2500 lives in the DRC

KINSHASA, Aug 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A measles epidemic has caused more than 2,700 deaths between January and early August in the DR Congo, killing more people in seven months than Ebola in one year, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported in a tweet. “The measles epidemic declared on June 10 is the…

Aquarium in South Africa joins WAZA world alliance

Visitors view an Eagle Ray swimming in the ‘Two Oceans Aquarium’ in Cape Town, South Africa CAPE TOWN (South Africa), Aug 18 (NNN-EFE) — The Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town recently became a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), a global alliance for zoos, aquariums,…

Update: SADC Summit roars into life

By Lydia Shekighenda DAR ES SALAAM, Aug 18 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — Tanzania writes yet another history as all eyes are on the country with all the ‘number one citizens’ of southern African nations gathering in Dar es Salaam for the 39th Southern African Development Community Summit (SADC) Summit. The newly commissioned…

Tunisia’s fruit exports go past 62 million dinar mark in first eight months of 2019

TUNIS, Aug 18 (NNN-TAP) — Tunisia’s fruit exports grew 28.8% in volume and 14.4% in value till Aug 5 in comparison with the same period in 2018, according to data provided by the National Inter-branch Group for Fruits and released by the National Agriculture Observatory. The quantities of fruits exported…

Tunisia presidential polls: 12 challenges against preliminary list of candidates

TUNIS, Aug 18 (NNN-TAP) — 12 challenges have been filed so far against the preliminary list of candidates approved for Tunisia’s Sept 15 early presidential election. Two of the candidates have not informed the Independent High Authority for Elections (French: ISIE) of their decision to go to court, which suggests…

Portugal’s fuel-tanker drivers back down, walkout continues

LISBON, Aug 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Portuguese fuel-tanker drivers will maintain their strike indefinitely after a 10-hour meeting of union leaders and government officials ended without an agreement. The meeting, which started on Friday afternoon and lasted until the early hours of Saturday, took place after the striking drivers said they…

Eastern Libyan forces damaged civilian airport in western Libya: UN

TRIPOLI, Aug 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Eastern Libyan forces have seriously damaged with air strikes a civilian airport in western Libya lacking any military use, the United Nations said. Last week, the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) force said it had twice bombed the airport of Zuwara, a town west of…

Venezuela to strengthen food production to challenge US blockade

CARACAS, Aug 18 (NNN-Prensa Latina) — The Venezuelan government is currently implementing new strategies to boost domestic food production and guarantee the Local Committees for Supply and Production (CLAP) as a means to face the economic and financial blockade imposed by the United States. CLAPs, which include the distribution of…

Kenya allocates Ksh1.4 billion to boost livestock breeding

NAIROBI, Aug 18 (NNN-KNA) — Government will spend Sh1.4 billion to boost livestock breeding as part of enhancing dairy and beef production to feed the growing population. Kenya Animal Genetic Resource Centre (KAGRC) chairman Dr. Geoffrey Kamau said National Treasury allocated the institution the funds to establish a sexed semen…