Update: Mudslide sweeps over Colombia school, killing 3 children

BOGOTA, July 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A mudslide smashed into a rural elementary school in the mountains south of Medellin on Thursday, killing three young children after heavy rains washed over Colombia’s north and west, authorities said. Officials in Antioquia province said about 20 children, along with a teacher and the mother…

Russia ready to boost food, fertilizer exports: Vershinin

UNITED NATIONS, July 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Being a reliable supplier, Russia is ready to significantly increase its exports of food and fertilizers to the global market, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin has said. “On the subject of food security, we would like to note that Russia can significantly increase…

Africa sees 63% rise in diseases spread from animals to humans in decade: WHO

 BRAZZAVILLE, July 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Africa faces a growing threat from zoonotic diseases such as monkeypox, the WHO said, with the continent recording a 63-percent rise in such outbreaks over the past decade. A World Health Organization (WHO) analysis found 1,843 “public health events”, such as disease outbreaks, in Africa…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: UN chief ‘appalled’ by Russian attack on Ukraine’s Vinnytsia

UNITED NATIONS, July 15 (NNN-UNNS) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the Russian missile strikes on Vinnytsia in central Ukraine that have killed at least 20 people, calling for those responsible to be held accountable. Guterres is “appalled by today’s missile attack against the city of Vinnytsia in central…

Libyan gov’t in Tripoli names new oil company head

Libya’s interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah TRIPOLI, July 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Libya’s Government of National Unity appointed a new chairman for the state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) despite the opposition of the former head. “I thank the Government of National Unity for appointing a new board of directors,” Farhat Gdora,…

UN asks for urgent settlement after Mali orders suspension of rotation of peacekeepers

UNITED NATIONS, July 15 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United Nations on Thursday called for an urgent settlement after the military government in Mali ordered a suspension of rotation of peacekeepers. “The UN Mission in Mali, MINUSMA, was informed this morning by the Malian authorities of a coordination meeting to be held…

US: Mile-long school buses head to lawmaker’s office to honor children shot dead, demand gun control

HOUSTON, July 15 (NNN-Xinhua) — A mile-long yellow school bus convoy on Thursday headed to pro-gun right US Senator Ted Cruz’s home and office in Houston, the largest city of gun-friendly state Texas, to honor thousands of young victims of gun violence across the country and demand gun control reform.…

Cuba, Mexico kick off business forum to bolster trade ties

HAVANA, July 15 (NNN-Xinhua) — Representatives of some 150 Cuban and 80 Mexican companies on Thursday attended the opening of the Cuba-Mexico Business Forum at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba in the capital city Havana. “The important thing at this forum is to negotiate, negotiate, negotiate. Let’s never tire of…

Former Honduran president’s son, 3 others shot dead

Former President of Honduras Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo Sosa TEGUCIGALPA, July 15 (NNN-Xinhua) — Four men, including a son of former Honduran President Porfirio Lobo Sosa, were shot dead here early Thursday, the Honduran National Police said. A video released by Honduran media showed that gunmen dressed as police officers had…

Pres Museveni rejects World Bank data on Uganda middle income status

Uganda’s President, Yoweri Museveni KAMPALA, July 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has dismissed the recent World Bank report which classified the country as still a low-income nation.In a July 1 economic update, the World Bank maintained that Uganda’s per capita gross national income stood at $840 per annum,…