Russia-Ukraine conflict: UK summons Russian envoy over Briton’s death in breakaway east Ukraine region

Russia’s Ambassador to Britain Andrei Kelin,  LONDON, July 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain’s foreign office summoned Russian Ambassador Andrei Kelin to express “deep concern” over reports of the death of a British aid worker. “I am shocked to hear reports of the death of British aid worker Paul Urey while in…

US approves possible sale of military assistance to Taiwan

WASHINGTON, July 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US State Department has approved the potential sale of military technical assistance to Taiwan worth an estimated US$108 million, the Pentagon said. China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, and the democratically governed island has complained of…

Mexico: 14 dead in military helicopter crash

  MEXICO CITY, July 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Fourteen people were killed when a military helicopter crashed on Friday in northwestern Mexico, the navy said.    “A Black Hawk helicopter was involved in an accident, the cause of which is unknown at this time,” a statement said.    It said the aircraft was…

Dozens of migrants rescued In Nigerien desert – UN

NIAMEY, July 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Niger’s civil protection agency rescued 44 migrants “stranded in the desert for two days after being abandoned by the driver following a vehicle breakdown,” IOM said in a statement. The 29 men, 12 women and three girls, all from…

Somalia president promises return of soldiers sent for training in Eritrea

Somalia’s new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud MOGADISHU, July 16 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Somalia’s president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says he would work to reunite soldiers, who had gone missing since completing clandestine training in Eritrea, with their parents, a day after wrapping up a four-day visit to Asmara. This comes after almost…

Tunisia and Algeria reopen land border after two years’ closure

Cars cross at the northwestern Tunisian Tabarka border post on the first day of its reopening on Friday TUNIS, July 16 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — A few cars and signs celebrating the Algerian-Tunisian friendship: the reopening of the land border between the two countries after more than two years of closure is…

Two French ministers in Niger, a new privileged partner in the Sahel

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna (2nd L) and French Armies Minister Sebastien Lecornu NIAMEY, July 16 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — France’s foreign and military ministers begin an official visit to Niger on Friday, a key partner of Paris in the Sahel, at a time when France is seeking to redefine its military and…

Egypt to withdraw peacekeeping troops from Mali – UN

BAMAKO, July 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations mission in Mali says that Egypt will withdraw its troops from the West African county by mid-August citing deadly attacks against its peacekeepers. Seven Egyptian peacekeepers have been killed in Mali so far this year, according to officials. Olivier Salgado, the spokesman…

South Africa: Hundreds mourn victims of tavern shooting in Soweto

JOHANNESBURG, July 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A memorial service for 16 people killed in a random shooting was held in South Africa’s Soweto township, close to Johannesburg. Around 200 people, including family members of the deceased and some politicians, came to mourn the victims nearby the tavern where the shooting happened.…

Russia aims to take control of oil pricing by creating benchmark

 MOSCOW, July 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia’s government has made a plan to create a national oil benchmark next year, as it seeks to protect itself from efforts by the West to restrict the flow of petrodollars to the country. Key Russian ministries, domestic oil producers and the central bank plan…