Gold up for grabs as Tokyo Paralympic sport starts

 TOKYO, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Paralympic sport got under way in Tokyo on Wednesday, after a high-energy and poignant opening ceremony, with the first golds up for grabs in cycling, wheelchair fencing and swimming. The national stadium hosted the colourful opener on Tuesday night, themed around the story of a…

US Supreme Court revives ‘Remain in Mexico’ immigration policy

 WASHINGTON, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Supreme Court allowed the revival of an immigration policy that forced asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their court dates, in a blow to President Joe Biden. Under former president Donald Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” program, tens of thousands of non-Mexican asylum…

US VP Harris in Hanoi as Afghan debacle rumbles

 HANOI, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Vice President Kamala Harris began a visit to Vietnam Wednesday to stress US commitment to Asia, a trip critics have slammed as tone-deaf given the parallels with the superpower’s evacuations from Saigon and Kabul. Harris will meet the communist state’s president and prime minister in…

Covid-19: WHO slams ‘shocking disparity’ in access to vaccines in Africa

  BRAZZAVILLE, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization hit out at the “shocking disparity” in access to coronavirus vaccines, with only four countries in Africa able to meet their inoculation targets so far.   “Globally, 140 countries have vaccinated at least 10 percent of their populations,” WHO chief…

Afghans race to flee Taliban after US confirms Aug 31 airlift deadline

 KABUL, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Afghans faced an increasingly desperate race to escape life under the Taliban after President Joe Biden confirmed US-led evacuations will end Aug 31. More than 70,000 people have already been evacuated, but huge crowds remain outside Kabul airport hoping to flee the threat of reprisals…

Covid-19: Mask wearing outdoors to be compulsory in US state of Oregon

 LOS ANGELES, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Masks will have to be worn outside in Oregon, the state’s governor announced, as the United States grapples with a surge in Covid-19 cases. The mandate, which takes effect Friday, makes the northwestern state the first in the country to re-introduce a rule that…

Torrential rains leave 15 dead in Venezuela

   CARACAS, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 15 people died in the Venezuelan Andes after heavy rains triggered mud and rock slides, authorities said.    Several hours of downpours in the Mocoties Valley, a farming region in western Merida state that attracts a lot of tourists, caused boulders to…

Algeria cuts diplomatic ties with ‘hostile’ Morocco

 ALGIERS, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Algeria’s Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra said that his country has severed diplomatic relations with Morocco due to “hostile actions”, following months of resurgent tensions between the North African rivals. The countries have long accused one another of backing opposition movements as proxies, with Algeria’s support…

Madagascar on the brink of climate change-induced famine following 4-year drought: UN

Crops have failed and now people are relying on insects and cactus leaves for food ANTANANARIVO, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) –Madagascar is on the brink of experiencing the world’s first “climate change famine”, according to the United Nations, which says tens of thousands of people are already suffering “catastrophic” levels of…

US House approves Pres Biden’s $3.5tn domestic budget blueprint

Top Democrats Nancy Pelosi (centre) and Steny Hoyer (right)  WASHINGTON, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Congress has approved a $3.5tn budget blueprint, setting the stage for Democrats to enact President Joe Biden’s ambitious economic agenda. The rule that passed on Tuesday allows Democrats, who narrowly control both chambers, to…