Continuing heavy rains, floods impact 220,000 people in Sudan: UN

Children collect filtered chlorinated water for drinking purpose from a UNICEF supported water point in Sudan’s Blue Nile state, which has been hard hit by the recent flooding UNITED NATIONS, Aug 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — The continuing heavy rains and floods have impacted nearly 220,000 people in 17 of Sudan’s 18…

Tunisian president meets Italian ministers over illegal immigration issue

TUNIS, Aug 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — Tunisian President Kais Saied met on Monday with visiting Italian Minister of Interior Luciana Lamorgese and Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Luigi Di Maio to discuss the illegal immigration issue. According to a statement released by the presidency, the two Italian ministers were accompanied by…

Covid-19: Anti-government protesters defy virus measures in Argentina

BUENOS AIRES, Aug 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of opposition demonstrators took to the streets in cities across Argentina to protest against President Alberto Fernandez and his plans to extend confinement measures against the coronavirus. Demonstrators defied social distancing rules to answer calls to protest against a government announcement to extend…

Update: Belarus may hold new elections if new constitution is adopted – president

MOSCOW, Aug 18 (NNN-TASS) — New elections may take place in Belarus if a new constitution is adopted through a nationwide referendum, the country’s President Alexander Lukashenko said on Belarus-24 on Monday. “We need to adopt a new constitution,” he pointed out. “You need to approve it at a referendum…

Covid-19: Mexican president says will get Russian vaccine if effective

MEXICO CITY, Aug 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that he would be among the first to receive a Russian coronavirus vaccine if it is shown to be effective. Russia’s announcement last week that it was the first in the world to approve a coronavirus vaccine…

Covid-19: Angry students force UK govt U-turn over virus-hit exams

LONDON, Aug 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The British government was forced to abandon its policy for grading exams that were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic after protests by students and warnings that it threatened the career prospects of the most disadvantaged pupils. England’s exam regulator said it would accept at…

Embattled former Spanish king Juan Carlos is in UAE: royal palace

MADRID, Aug 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Juan Carlos, the former king of Spain who went into exile in the face of corruption allegations earlier this month, is in the United Arab Emirates, the royal palace said. The 82-year-old “travelled to the United Arab Emirates on August 3 and he remains there,”…

US: White House advisor Kushner urges Saudi to normalise ties with Israel

WASHINGTON, Aug 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) – US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and White House advisor Jared Kushner said it would be in Saudi Arabia’s interest to normalise ties with Israel as the United Arab Emirates has agreed to do. It would also weaken their common foe Iran’s influence in the region…

South Sudan death toll in disarmament fighting rises, UN sends peacekeepers

JUBA, Aug 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The death toll in South Sudan’s Warrap State has risen to 148 following fighting this past weekend during a disarmament exercise, a local government official said, and the U.N. has deployed forces to maintain calm in the region. Heavy clashes erupted over a two-day period…

Ireland to return 5.5 mln euros in Abacha loot to Nigeria – statement

Sani Abacha rule Nigeria for 5 years with strong hand LAGOS, Aug 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ireland has reached a deal to give back to Nigeria 5.5 million euros looted by former military dictator Sani Abacha, Nigeria’s justice minister said in a statement. The money is the latest Abacha-linked cash reclaimed…