OPEC+ countries agree to boost oil production

VIENNA, July 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC countries, known as OPEC+, agreed in an online meeting on Sunday to boost oil production by 400,000 barrels a day as demand increases. OPEC and its non-OPEC allies also reached a deal to phase out…

Chinese and Mauritanian workers abducted from construction site in Mali

 BAMAKO, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three Chinese nationals and two Mauritanians have been abducted from a construction site in south-western Mali. A Mauritanian news agency reported that the gunmen arrived on motorbikes and fled with the hostages. The military in Mali said the gunmen also made off with five pick-up…

‘Havana Syndrome’-like mystery illness affects Vienna US diplomats

Vienna has a reputation as a centre for diplomacy and espionage VIENNA, July 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US government is investigating a series of health incidents in the Austrian capital Vienna involving its diplomats and other administration staff. More than 20 officials have reported symptoms similar to Havana Syndrome – a…

At least 15 people missing after ship sinks in Liberia

 MONROVIA, July 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Between 15 and 17 people are missing after a vessel sank off the coast of Liberia, the West African state’s government and coastguard said on Sunday. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, Liberia’s Maritime Authority Commissioner Eugene Lenn Nagbe told reporters in the capital Monrovia. Coastguards have…

UN calls for investigation into 2-year kidnapping of Libyan parliament member

Seham Sergiwa was taken by armed men after she criticised Haftar offensive in Tripoli TRIPOLI, July 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) called on the Libyan authorities to investigate the kidnapping of Siham Sergewa, a member of the Libyan House of Representatives (parliament). “Today marks…

Fuel truck blast kills 13 in Kenya; many others injured

NAIROBI, July 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thirteen people were killed and many others injured when an overturned petrol tanker caught fire and exploded on a highway in western Kenya, police said Sunday. “We counted twelve bodies at the scene. Another person died in hospital from their injuries,” said Charles Chacha, a…

Covid-19: Fully-vaccinated Governor of Brazil’s São Paulo state tests positive for the second time

SAO PAULO, July 18 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — João Doria, Governor of the Brazilian State of São Paulo, has tested yet again positive for Sars-CoV-2, despite having received both doses of the Coronavac immunizer, it was announced. The 62-year-old Doria has been a strong promoter of vaccination in the country and is…

Charges filed against former Argentine President Macri for helping overthrow Evo in Bolivia

BUENOS AIRES, July 18 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Argentine prosecutors have agreed to file charges against former President Mauricio Macri and several senior officials for allegedly supporting the overthrowing of Evo Morales in November 2019. Former Ministers Patricia Bullrich (Security) and Óscar Aguar (defence) as well as then Argentine Ambassador to Bolivia,…

Armenian court upholds June election win for acting PM’s party: Report

Armenia’s acting Prime Minister and leader of Civil Contract party Nikol Pashinyan YEREVAN, July 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Armenia’s constitutional court has ruled that the result of last month’s parliamentary elections, won by the party of acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, be upheld. Pashinyan’s party won 53.91 per cent of the…

Covid-19: Mexico’s death toll rises to 236,240 as cases surge

Healthcare workers apply a rapid test to people at a temporary testing site in Mexico City MEXICO CITY, July 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexico’s health ministry reported 12,631 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country and 225 more fatalities, bringing the total to 2,654,699 infections and 236,240 deaths. The number…