Iceland volcano erupts near capital

People look at the lava flowing on Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland on Wednesday REYKJAVIK, Aug 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A volcano erupted in Iceland near the capital Reykjavik on Wednesday, the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said as live images on local media showed lava spewing out of a fissure in the ground.    The…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: First Ukrainian grain shipment sails through Istanbul

  KYIV, Aug 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The first shipment of grain from Ukraine since the Kremlin’s invasion five months ago sailed through Istanbul on Wednesday under a landmark deal designed to help alleviate a global food crisis sparked by the war. The Sierra Leone-flagged Razoni’s voyage from the Black Sea port of Odessa…

Chile’s Easter Island reopens to tourists after 2-year pandemic lockdown

SANTIAGO, Aug 3 (NNN-EFE) — Easter Island, about 2,000 kilometers from the coast of Chile, reopened its borders on Monday to welcome back all tourists after a pandemic lockdown of two years. It is one of those mysterious destinations that tourists and travelers wish to visit someday, a dream that…

Panama teachers return to classrooms after nearly month-long strike

PANAMA CITY, Aug 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Panamanian public teachers on Tuesday returned to their classrooms after nearly a month-long strike during which they managed to get an increase in the education budget in negotiations with the government and reductions in fuel prices and in basic consumer goods. “We have almost…

Russia backs Myanmar junta’s efforts to ‘stabilise’ country, says Foreign Minister Lavrov

MOSCOW, Aug 3 (NNN-TASS) — Russia backs the Myanmar junta’s efforts to “stabilise” the crisis-wracked country, its foreign minister said on Wednesday during talks with top generals, according to Russian state media. Myanmar has been in chaos since the military’s power grab last year, with more than 2,100 people killed…

East Africa: Ethiopia gets tough on journalists since Tigray conflict

ADDIS ABABA, Aug 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ethiopia now ranks with Eritrea as the biggest jailers of journalists in sub-Saharan Africa, a new report from the Committee to Protect Journalists says. At least 63 journalists and media workers have been arrested in Ethiopia since the Tigray conflict broke out in November…

Argentina’s Lower House has a new Speaker

BUENOS AIRES, Aug 3 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Cecilia Moreau Tuesday became the first woman ever to be the Speaker of Argentina’s House of Deputies after the resignation of Sergio Massa was accepted so that he can be appointed “superminister” of Economy, Agriculture, and Production. The Moreaus, Cecilia and her fellow Deputy…

Consensus among Mercosur countries to tackle monkeypox

MONTEVIDEO, Aug 3 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Uruguayan Health Minister Daniel Salinas announced health authorities within Mercosur were drafting a joint plan to fight the monkeypox outbreak. Salinas addressed the issue during a press conference after meeting with authorities from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and also from Bolivia, a Mercosur associate member still…

Nearly 700 migrants crossed Channel on Monday in 2022 record: UK

LONDON, Aug 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Almost 700 migrants and asylum seekers crossed the Channel to Britain in a single day this week, a new record for the year, the UK government said Tuesday. The latest arrivals suggest the government’s controversial policy to deport those attempting the dangerous crossing to Rwanda…

Kenya insists Africa merits respect at UN Security Council

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya led two other African countries in pushing for the lifting of an arms embargo against the  Central African Republic at the United Nations Security Council. Kenya, Gabon, and Ghana were joined by Russia abstained from the July 29 vote on the adoption of…