SOUTHERN AFRICA: At least 56 people have been killed in Malawi and Mozambique since Cyclone Freddy hit the region for a second time, authorities confirmed today.

Fifty-one of the fatalities were in Malawi, including at least 36 in the commercial hub Blantyre, where several others are missing or injured.

Authorities in Mozambique reported that five people had been killed in the country since the storm first struck on Saturday.

NICARAGUA: The government is considering freezing relations with the Vatican days after Pope Francis reportedly compared President Daniel Ortega’s administration to a “communist or Nazi” dictatorship.

A Foreign Ministry statement released on Sunday said: “A suspension of relations between the Republic of Nicaragua and the Vatican State has been proposed.”

IRAN: The country’s mission to the United Nations has said that a landmark deal with Saudi Arabia to restore bilateral relations will help bring a political settlement to the conflict in Yemen, state media reported on Sunday.

Under the Chinese-brokered deal, announced last Friday, the two nations have agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies.

GERMANY: Flights at several airports were severely disrupted today by the latest in a string of one-day strikes over various pay disputes.

Unions are seeking a 10.5 per cent increase, while employers have so far offered a rise totalling 5 per cent in two stages and one-off payments of €2,500 (about £2,200) per employee, which the unions have rejected.