Pres Trump plans to invite Russian counterpart Putin to G7 summit in US

WASHINGTON, Aug 11 (NNN-TASS) — US President Donald Trump said he would invite Russian leader Vladimir Putin to the G7 summit in the United States. “I certainly would invite him to the meeting. I think he’s an important factor,” Trump told a White House briefing answering a question. Trump also…

Pentagon aims for fewer than 5,000 US troops in Afghanistan by November

WASHINGTON, Aug 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States is counting on further military withdrawal from Afghanistan to potentially fewer than 5,000 troops as inter-Afghan peace talks progress, the Pentagon said. “Over the next four months, the United States will continue to drawdown its force levels in Afghanistan based on conditions…

Covid-19: Global infections pass 20 million

PARIS, Aug 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 20 million coronavirus cases have now been registered across the world, over half in the Americas, according to official sources at 2215 GMT on Monday. At least 20,002,577 cases and 733,842 deaths have now been reported. More than four out of 10 coronavirus…

Secretary of State Pompeo cleared over Saudi arms sales: US official

WASHINGTON, Aug 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An internal probe has cleared US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of wrongdoing in a disputed arms sale to Saudi Arabia, a senior State Department official said, although the report on the investigation has not yet been released. Pompeo was accused of abuse of power…

Mauritius braces to halt new oil spill as tanker breaks up

PORT LOUIS, Aug 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Salvage crews raced against time to prevent a second disastrous oil spill off the picture-perfect coastline of Mauritius, with a damaged tanker carrying nearly 2,000 tonnes of fuel at risk of splitting apart. The bulk carrier MV Wakashio ran aground on July 25 with…

Covid-19: WHO sees hope despite looming 750,000 death toll

GENEVA, Aug 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization insisted there was still hope of conquering the coronavirus pandemic despite the suffering behind the looming landmarks of 750,000 deaths and 20 million cases. With both figures expected to be reached within days, the WHO stressed it was never too late…

19 killed in massacre in eastern DR Congo’s Ituri

BUNIA (DR Congo), Aug 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nineteen civilians were killed and two were wounded in attacks on three villages by a militia in the troubled eastern DR Congo province of Ituri, a local chief said Monday. The attacks took place on Sunday in the Banyali Kilo area, local chief…

Six French aid workers among eight killed by gunmen in Niger

KOURE (Niger), Aug 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gunmen on motorcycles killed eight people including a group of French aid workers as they visited a part of Niger popular with tourists for its wildlife, officials said. “There are eight dead: two Nigeriens including a guide and a driver, while the other six…

US cabinet member meets Taiwan president

US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, left, is greeted by Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen, right, during a meeting in Taipei TAIPEI, Aug 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A US cabinet member met Taiwan’s leader Monday during the highest level visit from the United States since it switched diplomatic recognition from…

One dead, 20 injured in Washington D.C. shooting as North Coralina hit by rare quake

Law enforcement work the scene of a shooting in Southeast Washington WASHINGTON, Aug 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — One person was killed and at least 20 people injured following a shooting in southeastern Washington D.C. on early Sunday morning, authorities said. Shots were fired around 1 a.m. eastern time (0500 GMT) on…