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President Mnangagwa mourns Pope Francis

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  Online Desk President Emmerson Mnangagwa has joined other world leaders in mourning Roman Catholic leader, Pope Francis, who died at the Vatican City in Rome, Italy, yesterday. In a statement, President Mnangagwa described the late pontiff as a man of profound humility who stood for peace, compassion and justice. The president extended his heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Church and Catholics around the world. African leaders praised the legacy of compassion and inclusivity of Pope Francis. Chairman of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, hailed “the Pope’s courageous engagement with the African continent,” which he said amplified voices of the voiceless, adding that the pontiff was a champion of peace and reconciliation, who stood in solidarity with those affected by conflict. In his tribute, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Francis had an “extraordinary life story” and “care for marginalised individuals and groups.” Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi said the pontiff was a “great servant of God, whose life was a vibrant testimony of faith, humility, and unwavering commitment to peace, justice, and human dignity.” Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera, who met the Pope last year, hailed him for his passion for environmental issues. Pope Francis died at the age of 88 yesterday following months of ill health including a battle with pneumonia. Born Jorge Bergoglio in Argentina in 1936, Pope Francis had been leader of the Catholic Church since March 2013, to the world’s almost 1.4 billion Catholics.

International, Local, Top Stories

Condolence book opened for Pope Francis in Harare

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  Online Desk A condolence book in honour of Pope Francis will be opened today at the Apostolic Nunciature in Mount Pleasant, Harare, giving the local faithful a chance to say their final goodbyes to the beloved pontiff. In a statement, the Vatican’s diplomatic mission, Apostolic Nuncio Janusz Urbanczyk said from today to Thursday, Zimbabwe’s Catholic bishops, clergy, and religious superiors are invited to sign the book between 10am-1pm and 3pm to 5pm at 5 St. Kilda Road, Mount Pleasant, in Harare.

Business, International, Local, Top Stories

Foreign exhibitors eye deals at Zimbabwe International Trade Fair

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  Online Desk Foreign exhibitors at the 65th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair which began in Bulawayo yesterday are hopeful of inking investment deals at the showcase. Zimpapers Radio News spoke to exhibitors from Belarus, Uganda, Kenya and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Numerous regional and international companies are taking part at this year’s edition of the fair being held under theme Industrialisation: Crafting an Integrated Economic Landscape.

International

US Presidential Election Heats Up

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  By Online Desk Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican rival Donald Trump are vying for the presidency. Trump has secured North Carolina and Georgia, according to AP projections. Both candidates are performing well in expected strongholds. Republicans are poised to regain Senate control after flipping key seats. Donald Trump is set to speak in Florida shortly.  

International

Death Toll Rises to 217 as Valencia Flood Search Continues

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  By Online Desk Valencia, Spain – Rescue teams in Valencia are shifting their focus to underground garages and a multi-storey car park in the search for missing individuals following last week’s devastating floods. Concerns persist that shoppers and workers may be trapped inside a shopping mall’s car park in Aldaia, on the outskirts of Valencia, which was inundated by floodwaters. Police have inspected the first 50 vehicles at the site, confirming no victims were found. The floods have also impacted El Prat Airport, with water entering parts of Terminal 1’s public area, resulting in flight cancellations, delays, or diversions and suspension of rail services The death toll from the floods, which brought a year’s worth of rain to parts of the region in just one week, has risen to 217. Ongoing response efforts include search and rescue operations in underground garages and car parks, assessment of damage to infrastructure and properties, support for affected communities and families of victims The Spanish government has declared a state of emergency in response to the disaster, with relief efforts underway to assist those impacted.

International, Regional

WHO reports record 8 million TB cases last year

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  Online Desk More than 8 million people were diagnosed with tuberculosis last year, the World Health Organization said Tuesday, the highest number recorded since the U.N. health agency began keeping track. About 1.25 million people died of TB last year, the new report said, adding that TB likely returned to being the world’s top infectious disease killer after being replaced by COVID-19 during the pandemic. The deaths are almost double the number of people killed by HIV in 2023. WHO said TB continues to mostly affect people in Southeast Asia, Africa and the Western Pacific; India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines and Pakistan account for more than half of the world’s cases. “The fact that TB still kills and sickens so many people is an outrage, when we have the tools to prevent it, detect it and treat it,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement. TB deaths continue to fall globally, however, and the number of people being newly infected is beginning to stabilize. The agency noted that of the 400,000 people estimated to have drug-resistant TB last year, fewer than half were diagnosed and treated. Tuberculosis is caused by airborne bacteria that mostly affect the lungs. Roughly a quarter of the global population is estimated to have TB, but only about 5-10% of those develop symptoms. Advocacy groups, including Doctors Without Borders, have long called for the U.S. company Cepheid, which produces TB tests used in poorer countries, to make them available for $5 per test to increase availability. Earlier this month, Doctors Without Borders and 150 global health partners sent Cepheid an open letter calling on them to “prioritize people’s lives” and to urgently help make TB testing more widespread globally.

International, Sports

TEN HAG DEPARTS: Manchester United Sacks Manager After Two Seasons

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By Online Desk Manchester United has officially parted ways with Erik ten Hag, their men’s first-team manager since April 2022. During his tenure, Ten Hag led the team to two impressive domestic trophy wins: the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. The club expressed gratitude for Ten Hag’s contributions and wished him well for the future. Following his departure, Ruud van Nistelrooy has taken over as interim head coach, working alongside the current coaching team until a permanent replacement is found. Earlier this year, there were rumors of Ten Hag’s potential exit, particularly after Manchester United finished eighth in the Premier League with a negative goal difference. However, Ten Hag had also hinted at uncertainty about his future after admitting to having “confrontational conversations” with the club’s management. Despite the ups and downs, Ten Hag’s time at Manchester United will be remembered for the two domestic trophies he brought to the club.

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