Birmingham gives Commonwealth Games a rousing send off and new relevance

BIRMINGHAM (UK), Aug 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Birmingham Commonwealth Games reached a high-octane conclusion on Monday by celebrating 11 days of compelling competition and sending the multi-sport event back to Australia in 2026 with new relevance and purpose. Certainly Birmingham had plenty of reason to party having come to the…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: EU plan to cut gas use by 15% comes into effect

BRUSSELS, Aug 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An EU plan to cut gas consumption across the bloc by 15 per cent to cope with an energy price crisis spurred by Russia’s war in Ukraine comes into effect on Tuesday. The EU regulation enshrining the plan agreed two weeks ago by the 27-nation…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: US funnels another $4.5 bn to Ukraine through World Bank and $1 bn in new arms aid

WASHINGTON, Aug  9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Bank announced it was mobilizing another $4.5 billion in US-provided financial support for war-torn Ukraine. The funds will help Kyiv pay for services and pensions, key to easing economic impacts of the Russian invasion, the bank said in a statement. “This economic assistance…

US not trying to ‘outdo’ world powers in Africa, says visiting Sec of State Blinken

PRETORIA, Aug 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States is seeking a “true partnership” with Africa and not trying to “outdo” other world powers in vying for influence on the continent, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. Blinken arrived in South Africa for an official visit on Sunday during a three-nation African trip which…

Somalia: Parliament approves cabinet as mortar fire hits Mogadishu

Somalia’s new cabinet MOGADISHU, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mortar shells struck residential neighbourhoods near the presidential palace in Somalia‘s capital Mogadishu shortly after parliament convened to approve the recently appointed cabinet, underlining the security challenges confronting the new government. Majority of members of parliament approved the country’s appointed cabinet by a…

Update: Pres Biden denounces killings of four Muslims in US city

WASHINGTON, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Joe Biden deplored the killings of four Muslim men in New Mexico, which police say may be linked. “I am angered and saddened by the horrific killings of four Muslim men in Albuquerque,” the US president said on Twitter. “While we await a full…

Deforestation of Brazilian Amazon still high despite ongoing decline

BRASILIA, Aug 8 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — According to satellite imagery data, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon remained high despite a slight decline.  Brazil’s DETER satellite monitoring system of the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) showed that 1,476 km2 of vegetation were cleared in July in the Amazon rainforest, 25 times…

No Premier resignation but cabinet reshuffled anyway in Peru

Peru’s President Pedro Castillo Terrones Friday declined Premier Aníbal Torres’ resignation, LIMA, Aug 8 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Amid tensions between the Executive and the one-house Congress, Castillo swore in six new cabinet members. “I have not accepted the resignation of the premier, Aníbal Torres, who is committed to continuing to work…

Portugal changes law to attract foreign workers

Portugal President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa  LISBON, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Portugal has reformed its immigration laws to attract foreign workers as it faces a labour shortage in tourism and construction. The Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa approved the new law which provides foreigners seeking employment with a temporary…

Chad peace talks accord to be signed Monday without key rebel group

Mahamat Idriss Deby, the head of Chad’s ruling junta DOHA (Qatar), Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Chad’s military leader will sign a deal on Monday with more than 40 opposition groups to launch national peace talks, but the central African country’s main rebel outfit has refused to take part. Under the…