US suspends three firms’ export privileges for alleged illegal exports of defence technology to China

WASHINGTON, June 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Commerce Department suspended the export privileges of three US-based firms for 180 days for what it said was the illegal export of satellite, rocket and defense technology to China. Quicksilver Manufacturing, Rapid Cut and US Prototype received technical drawings and blueprints from US…

Dozens of NGOs urge UN rights chief to resign after China visit

United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet (L) sits next to Human Rights Council president Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan (R) GENEVA, June 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Dozens of rights groups called for the resignation of UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet, charging that she “whitewashed” Beijing’s “atrocities” during her trip to China…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: UN chief warns impact of Ukraine war on world is worsening

UNITED NATIONS, June 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UN chief Antonio Guterres said that the consequences for the world of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are worsening, with 1.6 billion people likely to be affect. “The war’s impact on food security, energy and finance is systemic, severe, and speeding up,” the Secretary-General said, presenting the…

Belgian king returns mask to Congo in symbolic gesture of restitution

KINSHASA, June 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Belgium’s King Philippe returned a traditional mask to Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday on his first visit to the former colony, where many remain angry at Belgium’s failure to apologise for decades of brutal rule. By some estimates, killings, famine and disease killed up…

More than 1,000 monkeypox cases reported to WHO

GENEVA, June 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — There have been more than 1,000 monkeypox cases reported to the World Health Organization in the current outbreak outside the countries in Africa where it more commonly spreads. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the risk of monkeypox becoming established in these non-endemic countries was…

Germany violence: Vehicle drives into crowd in Berlin, 1 dead, about 30 injured, says fire brigade

BERLIN, June 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A car drove into a crowd of people in western Berlin Wednesday, killing one person, mass-selling daily Bild reported. A spokesperson for the German capital’s fire service said around 30 people were injured. “A man is believed to have driven into a group of people. It is…

US: Kansas woman admits to training all-female Daesh battalion in Syria

AAllison Fluke-Ekren faces up to 20 years in prison RICHMOND (Virginia, US), June 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) —A US woman has confessed to leading an all-female squadron for the so-called Daesh group in Syria, as well as plotting attacks on American soil. Allison Fluke-Ekren pleaded guilty to one count of providing support to…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Captured Britons appear in Donetsk rebel court

Aiden Aslin (left) and Shaun Pinner (centre) have been pictured in footage alongside Moroccan national Saaudun Brahim  MOSCOW, June 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two Britons captured by Russian forces in Ukraine have appeared in court in territory held by pro-Russian rebels. Aiden Aslin, 28, from Nottinghamshire, and Shaun Pinner, 48, from…

Suspension bridge collapses in Cuernavaca, Mexico, 25 injured

MEXICO CITY, June 8 (NNN-TELESUR) — The suspension bridge in the tourist city of Cuernavaca, capital of the southern state of Morelos, fell during the reopening ceremony of the project when about 25 people walked through it, among them the mayor of Cuernavaca, José Luis Urióstegui, council members and reporters. …

Argentina: 19 provinces hit by shortage of diesel fuel

BUENOS AIRES, June 8 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The shortage of diesel fuel, which at first affected only 8 provinces, has spread to the extent that Patagonia is the only region not yet going through a crisis, it was reported. After the Province of Buenos Aires joined the list of territories with…