US slams Chinese missile launches in South China Sea

US urged China to reduce “militarisation and coercion” in the region WASHINGTON, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Defense Department said that Chinese test launches of ballistic missiles in the South China Sea were threatening peace and security in the region. Confirming reports that Beijing’s forces launched as many as four…

Flash floods kill more than 70 in Afghanistan

A general view of the aftermath of flooding in Parwan KABUL, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A violent flash flood killed more than 70 people and destroyed hundreds of homes just north of Afghanistan’s capital on Wednesday, officials said. The floods swept through Parwan province, which borders Kabul, in the early…

US military presence needed in Asia, Philippines’ foreign minister says

US military forces and Filipino soldiers take part in the annual “Balikatan” (shoulder-to-shoulder) war games MANILA, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States military presence in Asia is needed as rivalry between Washington and Beijing intensifies, the Philippines’ foreign minister said. The two powers are arguing over issues from trade…

Covid-19: Kenya extends curfew as cases rise outside capital

Kenyatta asked police to enforce the curfew rule NAIROBI, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya’s president extended a nationwide curfew for 30 days, saying coronavirus cases were rising in areas outside the capital. In a televised address, Uhuru Kenyatta also ordered bars and nightclubs shut for another 30 days – but…

South African court allows sheep exports to Middle East, rejects cruelty concerns

CAPE TOWN, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A South African court ruled that a Kuwaiti firm could ship thousands of sheep to the Middle East, dealing a blow to animal welfare activists seeking to ban such exports on concerns that extreme heat could kill the animals en route. In the high…

UAE implicated in lethal drone strike in Libya in January

TRIPOLI, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — New evidence has uncovered that a drone operated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) killed 26 unarmed cadets at a military academy in Libya’s capital Tripoli in January 2020. At the time of the strike on Jan 4, Tripoli was under siege by the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA).…

Australia storm: Three killed as winds cause widespread damage in Melbourne

A car crushed in Belgrave – one suburb which saw much damage MELBOURNE,  Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Three people – including a four-year-old boy – have been killed by falling trees after a storm lashed the Australian state of Victoria. Gusts of up to 158km/h were recorded, causing widespread damage and knocking…

Syria war: American troops hurt as Russian and US military vehicles collide

A clip of the incident was broadcast by Russian website Rusvesna.su DAMASCUS, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The Russian and US governments have blamed each other for a collision between Russian and US armoured vehicles in north-eastern Syria in which several US troops were injured. Video of the collision was broadcast by a…

Covid-19: Egyptian cinema hit hard by pandemic

CAIRO, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Egyptian cinemas are slowly reopening after months of lockdown, but the huge sector sometimes dubbed “the Hollywood of the Arab world” has taken a severe hit during the pandemic. After movie theatres were shuttered because of Covid-19 from at least March to June, filmmakers and…

Covid-19: Spanish children over six to wear masks at school

MADRID, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Children above the age of six in Spain will be required to wear face masks at school at all times, the government said, as it seeks to restart lessons despite a surge in coronavirus infections. “The use of masks will be mandatory in general from…