Five dead as wildfires rage across Algeria

Algeria is the latest Mediterranean country to be hit by wildfires ALGIERS, Aug 11 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — At least five people have died in raging wildfires in Algeria as firefighters battle more than 31 blazes amid blistering temperatures and tinder-dry conditions, officials said.Photographs show huge walls of flame and billowing clouds…

Seven people from Comoros died, eight rescued after boat swept away by strong winds in Indian Ocean

The boat was transporting 15 family members from one island to another in Comoros NAIROBI, Aug 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Seven people from Comoros died and eight others were rescued in the Indian Ocean near Kenya on Monday.The victims and survivors were found after their vessel drifted many kilometres to the…

Covid-19: Delta variant reignites US mask debate

WASHINGTON, Aug 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The recent surge of Covid-19, driven by the Delta variant, has reignited political controversy around mask-wearing in the United States, with some governors opposing all measures to make masks mandatory despite advice from health authorities.    The dispute feels familiar, harkening back to the early…

Anger as Nigerian diplomat manhandled in Indonesia

Abdulrahman Ibrahim repeatedly shouted “I can’t breathe” as his head was forced against a car seat ABUJA, Aug 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Nigerian government is demanding punishment for Indonesian immigration officials who were filmed assaulting a Nigerian diplomat. Footage circulating on social media showed Abdulrahman Ibrahim, a consular officer based in…

Cuban scientists to send letter to Pres Biden condemning US embargo

  People wearing masks walk on a street in Havana HAVANA, Aug 11 (NNN-Xinhua) — Cuban scientists will send a letter to US President Joe Biden condemning the US embargo against the country, said Cuban biopharmaceutical authorities in a press conference on Tuesday. “What makes Cuba unique is the need…

US Pres Biden says Afghan forces must fight for themselves

President Joe Biden WASHINGTON, Aug 11 (NNN-Xinhua) — US President Joe Biden said that the Afghan troops must fight for themselves as multiple cities have fallen to the Taliban in the past few days. “We spent over a trillion dollars over 20 years. We trained and equipped with modern equipment…

Win for Biden as Senate passes massive infrastructure Bill

WASHINGTON, Aug 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Joe Biden hailed the Senate passage of a “historic” US$1.2 trillion infrastructure package, celebrating a major bipartisan win on a plan he vowed would “transform America”. By funding work on roads, bridges and ports, as well as clean water and high-speech internet, Biden…

Belarus Olympic Committee calls US sanctions ‘absurd’

MINSK, Aug 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Belarusian Olympic Committee (BOC) dismissed US sanctions, imposed against it for alleged facilitation of money laundering and evasion of existing sanctions, as baseless and absurd. Washington on Monday slapped new sanctions on several Belarusian individuals and entities, including its Olympic committee, with the aim…

Over 18,000 children recruited by Colombia’s FARC rebels: Court

Over 18,000 children recruited by Colombia’s FARC rebels: Court BOGOTA, Aug 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 18,667 children in Colombia were forced to join the now-demobilised FARC guerrilla group and subjected to abuses and treatment considered war crimes over a 20-year period, the country’s transitional justice court (JEP) said. The…

Brazil’s Bolsonaro flexes muscles with military parade

President Jair Bolsonaro, with armed forces commanders and ministers, attends a military parade in front of the Planalto Palace in Brasilia BRASILIA, Aug 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro drew criticism for presiding over a military parade outside the presidential palace, a show of strength as he fends off…