Germany charges Syrian doctor with crimes against humanity

The alleged torture took place at military hospitals in Damascus and Homs after the 2011 Syria uprising BERLIN, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Syrian doctor has been charged in Germany with crimes against humanity for allegedly torturing people in military hospitals in his homeland and killing one of them, German…

Covid-19 still devastating in the Americas, health agency says

People wait to receive a dose of Cuba’s Abdala vaccine at a vaccination center in Caracas, Venezuela BRASILIA, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — COVID-19 continues to inflict a devastating toll on the Americas, with Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador and Paraguay among the countries with the world’s highest weekly death rates, the…

Haiti premier says he plans elections as quickly as possible

PORT-AU-PRINCE, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Haiti’s new Prime Minister Ariel Henry said the government plans to create conditions for the Caribbean nation to hold elections as swiftly as possible following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise earlier this month. Already struggling with political paralysis, economic malaise and gang-fuelled violence, Haiti was…

US slaps sanctions on Syria armed group with Turkey links

People walk past posters depicting Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad WASHINGTON, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States slapped sanctions on a Syrian armed group that killed a Kurdish politician amid Turkey’s 2019 incursion, vowing to keep pursuing accountability in the war-ravaged country. The United States also took action against two men…

Peru’s Castillo assumes presidency, pledging economic stability

LIMA, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pedro Castillo on Wednesday said Peru’s colonial wounds still ran deep and he would seek to heal them, while promising economic stability in his inaugural speech as president. Speaking on the day that also marked the country’s 200th anniversary since declaring independence from Spain, Castillo…

Residents flee as winds fan massive wildfire in southern Turkey

Plumes of black smoke rise from the forest around Manavgat, 75 km east of the resort city of Antalya ANKARA, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A massive forest fire in southern Turkey spread to the town of Manavgat as the flames were fanned by strong winds on Wednesday, according to the local mayor,…

Covid-19: Singapore will send 200 oxygen concentrators to Myanmar

SINGAPORE, July 29 (NNN-CNA) — Singapore will send 200 oxygen concentrators to Myanmar to support the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said. The 10-litre oxygen concentrators will be channelled through the Singapore Red Cross, which will work with the Myanmar Red Cross Society…

Morocco team announces major Stone Age find

RABAT, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Archaeologists in Morocco have announced the discovery of North Africa’s oldest Stone Age hand-axe manufacturing site, dating back 1.3 million years, an international team reported. The find pushes back by hundreds of thousands of years the start date in North Africa of the Acheulian stone…

Covid-19: Covax expecting 250 mn donated doses in 6-8 weeks – WHO

      GENEVA, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Covax is expecting to receive 250 million donated Covid-19 vaccine doses over the next six to eight weeks, the World Health Organization said.    The influx of doses is a major boost for the scheme, which is aimed at ensuring poorer countries can access jabs…

Two dead, 16 hurt in blast at German chemical park

Germany chemical blast LEVERKUSEN (Germany), July 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two person died and 16 people were injured following an explosion at a chemical park in Leverkusen, Germany, the site operator said as residents were urged to stay indoors because of black smoke rising from the area. The blast happened at around…