Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo announces French presidential bid

Hidalgo is the first female mayor of Paris PARIS, Sept 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has announced she will run for president in next year’s election, joining a growing list of challengers to incumbent Emmanuel Macron. The 62-year-old daughter of Spanish immigrants who fled Francisco Franco’s dictatorship is the…

Covid-19: Gorillas at Atlanta zoo in US being treated after testing positive

Gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park that tested Positive for COVID-19 ATLANTA (Georgia, US), Sept 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Several gorillas at Zoo Atlanta in the southern US state of Georgia have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, the zoo said. The western lowland gorillas were tested after keepers…

Russia completes Nord Stream 2 construction, gas flows yet to start

MOSCOW, Sept 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gazprom said it had finished construction of the Nord Stream 2 subsea pipeline to Germany, completing Moscow’s project to increase its gas export capability and bypass Ukraine, but flows have yet to be cleared by regulators.The much-politicized pipeline will double Russia’s gas exporting capacity to…

Regional Bloc asks South Sudan President to mediate in Ethiopia’s Tigray crisis

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir JUBA, Sept 13 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — East African regional body, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), has asked South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir, to mediate the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia. South Sudan Information Minister Michael Makuei said: “The chair of IGAD [Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok]…

Covid-19: Brazilian carrier Azul returning to Uruguay in November from Porto Alegre

BRASILIA, Sept 13 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Brazilian carrier Azul will resume flights to Uruguay as of Nov 10 with the reopening of the Porto Alegre-Montevideo route four times a week. The company will also serve Punta del Este starting Dec 20 from Porto Alegre and Dec 23 from Campinas (Sao Paulo).…

Uruguay’s FM says other unilateral trade deals may be announced shortly after China

MONTEVIDEO, Sept 13 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Uruguay’s Foreign Minister Francisco Bustillo said that in addition to China there were several other countries interested in reaching one-on-one trade deals with his country. Bustillo made those remarks while touring Montevideo’s traditional Expo Prado fair. “Shortly, we may be able to make another announcement,”…

Spain Fire: Thousands flee blaze near Costa Del Sol Town

 MADRID, Sept 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Around 2,000 people have left their homes after wildfires broke out in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. One emergency worker has been killed in the blaze, which began on Wednesday on high ground above the popular resort town of Estepona on the Costa del…

Algeria: 13 dead, 8 hurt in bus-truck crash

A total of 13 people were killed in the crash at the Oued Khebaza locality in Naama province ALGIERS, Sept 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thirteen people died and eight were injured in Algeria on Sunday when a bus collided with a truck in the northwest, emergency services said. The crash happened…

North Korea missile test poses ‘threats’ to neighbours: Pentagon

WASHINGTON, Sept 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States military said missile tests conducted by North Korea over the weekend posed “threats” to the country’s neighbours and beyond. “This activity highlights DPRK’s continuing focus on developing its military programme and the threats that poses to its neighbours and the international community,” the…

Armed groups killing, recruiting more children in Niger: Amnesty

  NIAMEY, Sept 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Increasing numbers of children are being killed or targeted for recruitment by armed groups in conflicts raging at Niger’s borders with Mali and Burkina Faso, Amnesty International said in areport published Monday.   “In Niger’s Tillaberi region, an entire generation is growing up surrounded…