Venezuelan president announces cabinet changes

CARACAS, Aug 20 (NNN-Xinhua) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced several changes in his cabinet on Thursday, including the appointment of Mervin Maldonado as the new vice president for social and territorial socialism. The announcement follows the selection of several cabinet ministers as candidates of the ruling United Socialist Party…

Suspect in US Capitol bomb threat surrenders, taken into police custody

Multiple buildings on Capitol Hill, including the US Supreme Court, were evacuated following “an active bomb threat” nearby WASHINGTON, Aug 20 (NNN-Xinhua) — The suspect who drove near the US Capitol building Thursday threatening that the bomb in his vehicle would detonate ultimately surrendered and was taken into custody, US…

Uganda declares polio emergency, blames outbreak on Coronavirus

KAMPALA, Aug 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Uganda announced a polio emergency and blamed the outbreak to the Covid-19 pandemic during which resources were diverted from polio vaccination projects. The Health Ministry said in a statement that scientists have isolated a polio strain from two sewage treatment plants in the capital Kampala. The strain, it…

Algeria accuses Morocco of involvement in its deadly fires

A house burns during a wildfire in Tizi Ouzou, Kabylie region ALGIERS, Aug 20 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Algeria has decided to “review” its relations with Morocco, accused of being involved in the deadly fires that ravaged the north of the country, according to a statement from the Algerian presidency.“The incessant hostile…

Somalia security forces kill 25 Shabaab fighters

Somali government says that in operations over the last months, it had killed hundreds of Al-Shabaab militants MOGADISHU, Aug 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Somali government says a joint operation by army and local forces in the central regions has killed 25 Al-Shabaab fighters.According to a statement from the Ministry of…

Tunisian navy rescues nearly 400 migrants after boats capsize

The boat accident included an unusually high number of women and children who have apparently perished TUNIS, Aug 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tunisian naval forces rescued 396 migrants from drowning after several of their boats capsized in the middle of the night while making the journey across the Mediterranean to reach…

Uganda govt says no deal yet with US to host 2,000 Afghan refugees

KAMPALA, Aug 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Ugandan government clarified that it has not yet reached a formal agreement with the US to take in refugees from Afghanistan. Addressing a Parliamentary Committee on Thursday, foreign affairs minister Jeje Odongo said discussions were continuing but no decision had yet been made. Other…

IMF to withhold Afghanistan funds amid uncertainty: official

   WASHINGTON, Aug 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The IMF will withhold funds to Afghanistan amid the uncertainty over the status of the leadership in Kabul, a spokesperson for the institution said. The move comes after the US government took steps to block Afghanistan’s assets held in US accounts following the swift…

Afghanistan crisis: Pres Biden says no American will be left behind

While some Afghans have made it onto evacuation flights, disturbing reports suggest others are unable even to get to the airport WASHINGTON, Aug 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Joe Biden has said US troops may stay in Afghanistan beyond his withdrawal deadline, as armed Taliban fighters kept desperate evacuees from…

Lithuania says Belarus officers illegally pushed migrants over border

Lithuania’s border service released a video showing 12 Belarusian officers armed with shields and riot gear  VILNIUS, Aug 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Lithuania has accused 12 Belarusian officers in riot gear of illegally entering its territory to push a group of migrants over the border. Its border service said the Belarusians…