Spain and Brazil report first monkeypox-related deaths outside Africa

GENEVA, July 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain reported its first monkeypox-related death on Friday, in what is thought to be Europe’s first death from the disease and only the second outside Africa in the current outbreak. Brazil reported earlier on Friday the first monkeypox-related death outside the African continent in the…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: UN political affairs chief warns of bleak prospects for ending conflict

Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs UNITED NATIONS, July 30 (NNN-Xinhua) — Rosemary DiCarlo, UN under-secretary-general for political and peacebuilding affairs, said that the Russia-Ukraine conflict shows no signs of ending, despite an “encouraging” grain deal. Ambassadors were briefed by the UN political affairs chief, who pointed to…

Parliamentary elections: Kenya threatens ban on Facebook over hate speech

Dr Danvas Makori (left) receives a report on Hate Speech on Facebook from Jon Lloyd NAIROBI, July 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya has threatened to shut down Facebook over its failure to improve content moderation on hate speech in the run-up to the Aug 9 elections.The National Cohesion and Integration Commission…

Tanzania, World Bank launch renewed drive to make Dar Es Salaam greener

DAR ES SALAAM, July 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The government of Tanzania has asserted its commitment to making the city of Dar es Salaam more resilient to climate change, particularly through incorporating greening infrastructure to its fast-growing urban centres.The President’s Office–Regional Administration and Local Government (Poralg) said the city was increasingly…

Honduras launches ‘Bitcoin Valley’ in the tourist town of Santa Lucia

A man checks his cryptocurrencies app during the kick off of the ‘Bitcoin Valley’ project in Santa Lucia, Honduras TEGUCIGALPA, July 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — People can pay for a slushie with crypto in the streets of “Bitcoin Valley,” a project in the Honduran tourist enclave of Santa Lucia through which…

Brazil’s Abiove welcomes agreement to export soymeal to China

BRASILIA, July 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazilian oilseeds crushers group Abiove welcomed an agreement between Brasilia and Beijing to allow soybean meal exports from Brazil to China. Abiove said in a statement, however, that it is still necessary “to understand the procedures for accreditation of the crushing plants,” which seems to…

French authorities arrest fireman accused of being serial fire starter, says need excitement

MONTPELLIER (France), July 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French authorities detain a fireman from the south of France accused of being behind a series of wildfires in the region which he says he started in a quest for adrenaline. The man, a volunteer fireman from the Herault region, was arrested on Wednesday,…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: US, Russia top diplomats hold ‘frank’ first talks since Ukraine war started

WASHINGTON/MOSCOW, July 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The top diplomats of the United States and Russia spoke on Friday for the first time since the Ukraine war, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken describing a “frank” exchange as he pushed to free two Americans. Blinken initiated the call with Foreign Minister Sergei…

US: Kentucky flood toll at least 19, expected to double – Governor

Homes submerged under flood waters from the North Fork of the Kentucky River in Jackson, Kentucky JACKSON (Kentucky, US), July 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Flash flooding caused by torrential rains has killed at least 19 people in eastern Kentucky and the death toll is expected to double, the US state’s governor…

Pope headed to Arctic for last leg of penitential Canada trip

IQALUIT (Canada), July  30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pope Francis fly to Nunavut, the territory that covers most of the Canadian Arctic, on his final stop in a landmark tour apologizing for the abuse of Indigenous children in Catholic-run schools. The 85-year-old pontiff made a speech first to a delegation of Indigenous…