Mercer Street: Tanker blast evidence points to Iran, says US

The attack on the tanker as it sailed past the Omani island of Masirah killed two people  WASHINGTON, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US military’s Central Command has announced the results of its forensic investigation into last week’s fatal drone attack on a merchant tanker off Oman. It says explosives…

US: Two arrested over plot to kill Myanmar UN Ambassador, a vocal critic of the military junta

Kyaw Moe Tun is a vocal critic of Myanmar’s military rulers NEW YORK, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two Myanmar citizens have been arrested in the US for allegedly plotting to kill or injure Myanmar’s UN ambassador. The US attorney’s office in New York said Phyo Hein Htut and Ye Hein Zaw…

Northwestern Nigerian state suspends school resumption over insecurity

KADUNA (Nigeria), Aug 7 (NNN-XINHUA) — Nigeria’s northwestern state of Kaduna announced it would suspend the resumption of both public and private schools across the state as security operations against armed bandits proceed. “The Kaduna state government has accepted the security advisory, and hereby directs total compliance by all schools,…

US blacklists five ‘terrorist leaders’ in Africa

 WASHINGTON, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US State Department added five alleged senior members of jihadist groups in Africa to its terror blacklist, blocking access to any property or interests they may have in the United States. Heading the additions was Bonomade Machude Omar, the senior commander of ISIS-Mozambique, who…

Moldova’s new government sworn in

Pres Maia Sandu CHISINAU, Aug 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — Moldova’s new cabinet headed by Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita took the oath of office late Friday before President Maia Sandu at the Presidential Palace in central Chisinau, capital of Moldova, soon after receiving a vote of confidence in the parliament. The head…

Covid-19: White House says 50pc of Americans fully vaccinated

WASHINGTON, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Half of the US population is now fully vaccinated against Covid-19, the White House said, as inoculations rise in response to the surging Delta variant of the coronavirus. “Fifty percent of Americans (all ages) are now fully vaccinated. Keep going!” Cyrus Shahpar, the White House’s…

US wildfires: Dixie Fire becomes third-largest in California history

 GREENVILLE (California, US), Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A huge wildfire tearing through northern California became the third-largest in the state’s history Friday, and looked set to continue growing. A long-term drought that scientists say is driven by climate change has left the western United States parched — and vulnerable to…

Panama, Colombia to facilitate safer migrant passage to US

        PANAMA CITY, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Panama and Colombia agreed to facilitate the controlled transit of undocumented migrants seeking to reach the United States, in an attempt to slow the surge of people and protect them from organized crime. The two countries will establish a series of quotas next…

Britain tells nationals to leave Afghanistan immediately

 LONDON, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain has warned all UK nationals in Afghanistan to leave the country immediately due to the “worsening security situation” as fighting intensifies. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Friday updated its website to advise against all travel to Afghanistan. “All British nationals in Afghanistan…

Two more independent media outlets in Russia shut due to restrictions

The Moskva River in front of the Kremlin. Space for independent journalism and dissenting voices has been shrinking in Russia in recent years MOSCOW, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two more independent media outlets in Russia have been forced to shut down after their websites were blocked by the authorities, they…