White House hopes to contain tensions with China over Pelosi’s Taiwan visit

 John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications WASHINGTON, Aug 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Biden administration wants to keep tensions between Washington and Beijing inflamed by a high level visit to Taiwan from boiling over into a conflict, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said. In a briefing with reporters,…

Covid-19: White House says Biden’s cough returns

WASHINGTON, Aug  3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Joe Biden has continued to test positive for Covid-19, his White House doctor said, and is experiencing a return of at least one symptom, described as a “loose cough.” After previously suggesting that Biden was symptom free since coming down with a “rebound”…

Four dead in South Africa protests over high power costs

People gather outside the Tembisa Customer Care Centre after protesters set it on fire after a night of riots caused by angry community members demanding better service delivery in Tembisa JOHANNESBURG, Aug 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least four people have died during protests over the cost of electricity in a…

Africa fights Monkeypox without vaccines as death toll rises: CDC

ADDIS ABABA, Aug 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The vast majority of deaths due to monkeypox have been registered on the African continent but Africa remains the only part of the world with no doses of the vaccine, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The World Health Organisation declared…

Update: Uganda monitors DRC border after deadly shooting involving UN peacekeepers

A map showing the location of Uganda (in green) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (in orange) KAMPALA, Aug 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ugandan police are deploying a standby force to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after UN peacekeeping troops opened fire on a border post,…

Covid-19 cases on the rise in Argentina

BUENOS AIRES, Aug 2 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Argentine health authorities have reported over the weekend a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases nationwide last week (52,745 ), a 26% increase over the previous week. The country’s epidemiological report also showed 91 coronavirus deaths, 19.73% more than the 76 deaths…

UN troops in shootout at DR Congo-Uganda border

KINSHASA, Aug 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two people have been killed and several injured after UN peacekeepers returning from leave in Uganda opened fire to force their way through a border into eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Bintou Keita, the head of the UN peacekeeping mission, has described the troops’ actions…

US: California governor declares monkeypox emergency

LOS ANGELES, Aug 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency over monkeypox in a move aimed at bolstering vaccination efforts to slow the spread of an outbreak that has infected more than 5,800 Americans. California, the nation’s most populous state, has confirmed 827 monkeypox cases as…

Argentine judge allows some crew of grounded Venezuela plane to depart

BUENOS AIRES, Aug 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An Argentine judge investigating the Iranian and Venezuelan crew of a cargo plane that has been grounded in Buenos Aires since June authorized the departure of 12 of them on Monday, local media reported. Federal judge Federico Villena did however order seven of the…

South American countries set to launch official 2030 World Cup bid

MONTEVIDEO, Aug 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Four South American countries on Tuesday launch an unprecedented joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup with the hope of bringing the global showpiece back to its first home. Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile’s intention to bid has long been in the making. More…