African Union launches probe into alleged rights abuses in Tigray

ADDIS ABABA, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The African Union (AU) has launched a commission of inquiry into alleged human rights violations in Ethiopia’s northernmost region of Tigray, where a bloody seven-month conflict has led to warnings of famine and allegations of ethnic cleansing.In a statement, the body said the commission,…

Covid-19: Residents in Portuguese capital not allowed to leave region to curb rising cases

 A group of young people chat at a viewpoint overlooking Lisbon’s old centre – a travel ban has been imposed on the region LISBON, June 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Portuguese government announced that the entire Metropolitan Area of Lisbon (AML) will be in isolation on weekends, from 3 p.m. on…

Covid-19: Brazil reports 2,997 more deaths; Argentina, Colombia sees 25,878, 27,827 new cases respectively

BRASILIA, June 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — Brazil registered 2,997 more deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the national death toll to 493,693, the health ministry said. A total of 95,367 new infections were detected, raising the total caseload to 17,628,588, the ministry said. Brazil has the world’s second…

US House votes to repeal 2002 Iraq war authorization

WASHINGTON, June 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday voted to repeal the 2002 authorization for the Iraq War, an effort to curb presidential war powers. The Democratic-led House revoked the 2002 authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) in a vote of 268 to 161,…

US shooting: 1 killed, 12 injured in multiple shootings; suspect arrested

PHOENIX (Arizona, US), June 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — One person was killed and 12 others wounded in a series of shootings in several places in the Phoenix metropolitan area in U.S. state of Arizona on Thursday afternoon, and the suspect has been arrested by the police. According to Peoria Police Department,…

Covid-19: UK reports over 11,000 new cases

People wearing face masks talk on a street in London LONDON, June 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — Britain has reported another 11,007 coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,600,623, according to official figures released Thursday. The country also recorded another…

Russia ready for further dialogue if US is willing: Pres Putin

MOSCOW, June 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Kremlin was guarded about future dialogue with Washington on Thursday, a day after the first face-to-face meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Joe Biden. The two leaders met in Geneva on Wednesday to ease soaring tensions between Moscow and Washington, with…

South Africa: 20 bodies found at vacant gold mine

The scene where bodies were found in the vicinity of Orkney JOHANNESBURG, June 17 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — Bodies of suspected illegal miners were this week found wrapped in white plastic bags at two locations in Orkney, a gold mining town in South Africa. An autopsy is yet to be carried out…

Botswana diamond could be world’s third largest

Debswana says the diamond is 73mm long, 52mm wide and 27mm thick GABORONE, June 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A diamond believed to be the third largest ever found has been put on display in Botswana. The stone – weighing 1,098 carats – was shown to President Mokgweetsi Masisi, two weeks after…

Somalia: Attack kills 10 at Mogadishu Army training camp

This woman outside a hospital in Mogadishu heard that her son was among the victims MOGADISHU, June 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A suicide bomber has killed at least 10 people at an army training camp in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu. Many of the injured have been taken to hospital. The attacker was waiting…