Fourteen killed in wake of Hurricane Laura in US

LAKE CHARLES (United States), Aug 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 14 people were killed after Hurricane Laura slammed into the southern US states of Louisiana and Texas, authorities and local media said. Louisiana’s Governor John Bel Edwards confirmed at least 10 people had died in his state, half from using…

Covid-19: European Commission agrees to buy 300 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine

BRUSSELS, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The European Commission (EC) has signed an agreement with the pharmaceutical AstraZeneca for the purchase of 300 million doses of potential vaccines against Covid-19. The agreement also provides for the acquisition of an additional 100 million doses if the vaccine is safe and effective. The…

US unrest: George Floyd family urge ‘March On Washington’ protesters to ‘be his legacy’

 WASHINGTON, Aug 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The sister of George Floyd, whose death in police custody sparked months of racial turmoil across the US, has urged civil rights protesters to “be his legacy” as thousands gathered for a rally in Washington DC. “My brother cannot be a voice today,” said Bridgett Floyd. “We…

Covid-19: France sees ‘exponential rise’ in cases

PARIS, Aug 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) —France has recorded its biggest daily rise in coronavirus infections since March, as President Emmanuel Macron raised the possibility of another nationwide lockdown. A further 7,379 cases were confirmed on Friday, bringing the country’s total to 267,077. It was the largest daily spike since March 31, when 7,578…

Security Council extends mandate of UN Mission in Somalia

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Security Council adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) for another year, till Aug. 31, 2021. Resolution 2540, which was adopted unanimously by the 15-member council, requests the UNSOM to maintain and strengthen its presence in all of the federal…

US: 2 soldiers killed in California helicopter crash

LOS ANGELES, Aug 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two soldiers were killed and three injured when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed on San Clemente Island late Thursday, according to a Defense Department official. The Army’s Special Operation’s Command said in a statement the incident occurred in the vicinity of Coronado. A Defense Department…

Covid-19: Peru extends state of emergency

LIMA, Aug 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Peru extended its nationalemergency until Sept 30 and prolonged a lockdown in some of the areasworst affected by the coronavirus, the government said. The South American country has one of the worst death rates in the worldfrom Covid-19 with 86 fatalities per 100,000 people. “The…

Covid-19: Unemployment in Chile has reached a new record high of 13.1 percent

SANTIAGO, Aug 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Unemployment in Chile has reached a new record high of 13.1 percent, the national statistics institute said. Unemployment rose by 5.6 percentage points in the rolling May-July quarter compared to the same period in 2019. The statistics institute said it was the highest figure since…

US Pres Trump pays ‘highest respect’ to resigning Japanese PM Abe

MANCHESTER (United States), Aug 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump paid his “highest respect” to Japanese Prime Minister ShinzoAbe and voiced concern over his “great friend” resigning for health reasons. “I want to pay my highest respect to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a verygreat friend of mine,” Trump told…

Liberia: Pres George Weah under pressure after 1,000 rape cases reported since January

The president has previously described himself as Liberia’s ‘feminist-in-chief’ MONROVIA, Aug 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Liberia’s President George Weah has come under criticism for not personally receiving a petition from protesters campaigning for anti-rape laws to be strengthened.This follows a rise in attacks with close to 1,000 rape cases reported since January.For…