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…

Mar Menor: Tonnes of dead fish wash up on Spanish Lagoon’s shores

Dead fish and crustaceans continue to appear on the beaches Mar Menor in south-eastern Spain  MADRID, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tonnes of dead fish have washed up on the shores of a large saltwater lagoon in south-east Spain in recent days after a mass die-off that has shocked local residents…

Iran prisons chief apologises over leaked videos of Evin abuse

 TEHRAN, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The head of Iran’s prison service has apologised after hackers leaked videos showing the abuse of detainees at Tehran’s notorious Evin prison. The hackers released security footage showing guards beating prisoners and dragging one along a floor. On Tuesday, Prisons Organisation chief Mohammad Mehdi Haj-Mohammadi…

Didi: China ride-hailing giant halts plan to launch in UK

BEIJING, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi has halted plans to launch in the UK and continental Europe, a source close to the company said. The Uber rival had been planning to roll out services in Western Europe, including major British cities. Didi is in consultation with the…

Covid-19: New Zealand reports 62 new community cases of Delta variant

NZ director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield WELLINGTON, Aug 25 (NNN-XINHUA) — New Zealand reported 62 new community cases of Delta variant of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases in the community outbreak to 210. The total number of community cases in the country’s largest city Auckland…

Covid-19: Slow vaccination to cost global economy $2.3 tn – EIU study

  PARIS, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The slow rollout of coronavirus vaccines will cost the global economy $2.3 trillion in lost output, a report released Wednesday found.   The Economist Intelligence Unit’s study found that emerging and developing economies, whose vaccine rollouts are far behind those of wealthier countries, will…

World Bank ‘deeply concerned,’ pauses aid to Afghanistan

  WASHINGTON, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Bank has suspended aid to Afghanistan, saying it is “deeply concerned” by the situation there, especially regarding women’s rights, after the Taliban seized power, a bankspokesperson said.   “We have paused disbursements in our operations in Afghanistan and we are closely monitoring…

‘Catastrophic’ pollution plagues Libya beaches

 TRIPOLI, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — With untreated sewage in the water and rubbish piled on the sand, pollution on Tripoli’s Mediterranean coast is denying residents of the war-torn Libyan capital a much-needed escape. The environment ministry last month ordered the closure of a number of beaches along the 30-kilometre Greater…

Ivory Coast says first Ebola patient since 1994 has recovered

   ABIDJAN, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A young Guinean woman who tested positive for the Ebola virus in Ivory Coast after arriving there two weeks ago has recovered from the disease, the Ivorian health ministry said.    “We performed on the patient two biological tests which were negative in an…