Afghanistan crisis: US tells citizens to avoid Kabul airport due to ‘security threats’

   WASHINGTON, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States on Saturday urged its citizens in Afghanistan to avoid traveling to Kabul airport, citing “potential security threats” near its gates.   Hamid Karzai International Airport has seen a chaotic crush of people hoping to flee the Taliban takeover of the country…

102 migrants rescued in English Channel trying to reach Britain

 LILLE (France), Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Over 100 migrants were rescued in the English Channel on Saturday as they tried to reach Britain on makeshift boats, the French maritime prefecture said.   A first boat carrying 38 migrants was reported in difficulty off Boulogne, the authorities said.   The migrants…

Afghanistan crisis: UK says Russia, China needed for ‘moderating influence’ over Taliban

LONDON, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain would have to turn to Russia and China to exercise a “moderating influence” over the Taliban, despite a mistrust between the UK and those governments, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said. “We’re going to have to bring in countries with a potentially moderating influence like…

Tunisian president takeover sparks fears for freedoms

  TUNIS, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Concern is mounting over freedoms in Tunisia as President Kais Saied presses ahead with a “purge” that has seen politicians, judges and businessmen arrested or banned from travel, activistssay.   On July 25, Saied sacked the government and suspended parliament for one month citing…

Key ally German Chancellor Merkel visits Ukraine before leaving office

KIEV, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits Ukraine on Sunday, an ally she has supported in its conflict with pro-Russia separatists but has disappointed with her appetite for Russian gas. She will meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky just two days after holding talks with his Russian counterpart…

Henri upgraded to hurricane as it threatens US coast

NEW YORK, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A swath of the US East Coast, including New York City, was under alert, as storm Henri was upgraded to what could be the first hurricane in 30 years to hit New England. Forecasters warned of violent winds, the risk of flash floods and…

UN mission welcomes eastern-based Libyan army’s release of detainees

TRIPOLI, Aug 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Saturday welcomed the release of a group of detainees by the eastern-based army. UNSMIL welcomes the recent release of detainees as a result of the continued confidence-building efforts by the Joint Military Commission and its strong…

At least 8 dead, 3 missing after Hurricane Grace in Mexico

At least eight people were dead and three missing after Hurricane Grace hit eastern Mexico MEXICO CITY, Aug 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — At least eight people were dead and three missing after Hurricane Grace hit eastern Mexico, Cuitlahuac Garcia, governor of the state of Veracruz, reported. Grace, the second Atlantic hurricane…

US floods: At least 10 dead, around 40 missing in Tennessee’s Humphreys County

Catastrophic flooding is seen in this aerial image from Waverly, Tennessee HUMPHREYS COUNTY (Tennessee, US), Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Authorities in Tennessee’s Humphreys County say multiple people have died and others are still missing after severe flooding Saturday. Sheriff Chris Davis confirmed that there are “multiple fatalities” and “multiple missing” throughout…

Somali PM orders probe into killing of 7 civilians by African Union troops in southern region

MOGADISHU, Aug 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Roble ordered investigations into the deaths of seven civilians reportedly killed by the African Union troops during a counter-offensive in Golweyn, the southern part of the country. The prime minister’s spokesman Mohamed Moalimuu said Roble has formed a ministerial committee to…