Irish missionary, a child among 8 people freed in Haiti after being kidnapped during attack on orphanage

The Saint-Helene orphanage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, PORT-AU-PRINCE, Aug 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An Irish missionary and a 3-year-old child are among eight people who have been freed in Haiti by kidnappers after being held for almost a month following an attack by gunmen on an orphanage, officials and relatives said. Gena…

Peru: Scientists extracting skeleton of 20-million-year-old bird

LIMA, Aug 31 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — A team of Peruvian researchers has discovered the perfectly preserved fossil of a new, giant seabird species believed to be 20 million years old. The skeleton, found in the Ocucaje Desert in the department of Ica, is similar in size to a modern condor. In…

Pres Lula announces establishing sports university in Brazil

BRASILIA, Aug 31 (NNN-AGENCIA BRASIL) — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced this week the creation of a sports university. He made those remarks while welcoming at the Planalto Palace a delegation of rhythmic gymnasts who won two medals at the world championships in Rio de Janeiro earlier…

South Korean mission exploring possible Paraguayan meat purchases

ASUNCION, Aug 31 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — A South Korean business delegation, including representatives from the Korea Meat Import Association, is in Paraguay this week to assess its meat industry. This marks the first time Korean private-sector leaders have visited the South American country before an official market opening, signaling confidence in…

Zanzibar charts path to become East Africa new trade hub

ZANZIBAR, Aug 31 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — ZANZIBAR is positioning itself as East Africa’s next major trade and logistics hub through a sweeping programme of modernising and expanding its ports. A move the government said will unlock unprecedented opportunities in shipping, business, tourism and regional connectivity. The multi-billion-shilling initiative, spearheaded by President…

Zanzibar election: Pres Mwinyi picks nomination forms, calls for peaceful campaigns

ZANZIBAR, Aug 31 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — ZANZIBAR witnessed colourful celebrations on Saturday as Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) presidential candidate, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, officially collected his nomination papers from the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) at Maisara grounds. Dr Mwinyi received the forms at around 11:00 am from ZEC Chairman Justice George Joseph…

British PM vows to detain, send back illegal migrants amid mounting pressure

LONDON, Aug 31 (NNN-XINHUA) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday pledged to detain and send back illegal migrants as the government faces mounting pressure to tackle Channel crossings and the issue of asylum hotels. “I am clear: we will not reward illegal entry. If you cross the Channel…

UN voices concern over troop buildup around Libya’s capital

TRIPOLI, Aug 31 (NNN-XINHUA) — The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed deep concern over continued troop and heavy weapons buildup around the capital Tripoli, warning that the “dangerous development” poses “potential harm” to civilians. Noting that ongoing talks on security arrangements in Tripoli since June have made progress,…

Ghana: 5 in critical condition, 13 injured as truck ploughs into Agona Asafo Festival crowd

People were parading through the town when the truck suddenly veered into the crowd AGONA ASAFO (Ghana), Aug 31 (NNN-GNA) — A celebratory float in Agona Asafo turned tragic when a truck loaded with coconuts lost control and rammed into a crowd, leaving five people in critical condition and 13…

Ukraine: Former parliament speaker shot dead in Lviv

Ukrainian MP Andriy Parubiy had served as Ukraine’s parliamentary speaker from April 2016 to August 2019 LVIV (Ukraine), Aug 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A prominent Ukrainian politician and former parliament speaker has been shot dead in western Ukraine, officials said, as a search was under way to find the attacker. Andriy Parubiy,…