African Union head condemns Israeli ‘attacks’ in Gaza

ADDIS ABABA, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The chairman of the African Union commission condemned Israeli “air strike attacks” in the Gaza Strip as violence escalates in the troubled region, with 41 Palestinians reported dead. “Moussa Faki Mahamat strongly condemns the continued air strike attacks by Israel on Gaza that have killed more than 41…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: More Ukraine grain sets sail as new strike hits nuclear site

 KYIV, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Four more ships loaded with grain set off from Ukrainian ports on Sunday, as Moscow and Kyiv blamed each other for a new strike at a Russian-occupied nuclear plant. “The second convoy of Ukrainian supplies has just left… three from Chornomorsk and one from Odessa,”…

Update: US will ‘pursue’ latest Russia offer to discuss Griner prisoner exchange: Blinken

PHNOM PENH, Aug 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States will “pursue” Russia’s latest offer to discuss at the presidential level a prisoner swap involving detained basketball star Brittney Griner, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday. “[Russian] Foreign Minister Lavrov said this morning… that they are prepared to engage” on…

Burkina Faso attacks kill 12: local, security sources

 OUAGADOUGOU, Aug 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Suspected militants in northern Burkina Faso have killed three soldiers and nine civilian auxiliaries, local and security sources said on Friday. The twin attacks were carried out on Thursday in Bourzanga district, a security source and an official with the VDP auxiliary force said. The…

Update: Russia ‘ready’ to discuss prisoner swap after Griner jailing

MOSCOW, Aug 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia said Friday it was ready to discuss a prisoner swap with Washington at the presidential level, a day after the drug conviction of US basketball star Brittney Griner. Despite tensions soaring between Russia and the US since the launch of Moscow’s military intervention in…

5 killed, 9 injured in fiery multi-vehicle crash in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, Aug 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — At least five people were killed and nine others injured Thursday afternoon in a fiery multi-vehicle crash in Los Angeles, authorities said. The Los Angeles County Fire Department said in a tweet that the agency responded to the crash at about 1:41 p.m. local…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Three more grain ships leave Ukraine

KYIV/ISTANBUL, Aug 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three more ships loaded with grain left Ukrainian ports on Friday under a recently concluded safe passage deal. The first grain ship to set sail from a Ukrainian port since the start of the Russian invasion, departed Odesa on Monday. “We expect that the security guarantees…

Spectators flock to Iceland volcano

REYKJAVIK: People visit the scene of a newly erupted volcano in Iceland’s Meradalir valley FAGRADALSFJALL (Iceland), Aug 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Curious onlookers made their way to the site of a volcano erupting near Iceland’s capital Reykjavik to marvel at the bubbling lava, a day after the fissure appeared in an…

Canada’s trade balance remains in surplus

 OTTAWA, Aug 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Canada once again posted a merchandise trade surplus in June, thanks in part to a sixth consecutive month of rising exports, Statistics Canada reported. Total merchandise exports were up 2 percent to Can$69.9 billion thanks to increased exports of crude oil and gold. Pharmaceutical products…

South Africa: Migrants targeted after gang rape outrage

The homes belonging to people suspected of being in the country illegally were set alight  JOHANNESBURG, Aug 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Residents of a South African township near Johannesburg have set ablaze the homes of migrants they believe are illegally working in disused local mines. There has been widespread anger after…