Venezuelans breaking COVID-19 rules punished under the sun

CARACAS, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCES) — Security forces are punishing some Venezuelans who violate anti-coronavirus measures with physical exercise, sitting under the sun and even beating, witnesses and rights groups say. Roberto Vargas was heading to buy flour with his children in Caracas on Thursday when he lowered his face mask…

Amazon fires rage in early August as fears of mass blazes mount

Smoke billows during a fire in an area of the Amazon rainforest near Porto Velho, Rondonia State HUMAITA (Brazil), Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Fires in the Brazilian Amazon have surged so far in August, government data showed, outstripping the same period of 2019 and renewing concerns about the destruction of the…

Rare syndrome linked to COVID-19 found in nearly 600 US children: CDC

Children wearing protective face masks WASHINGTON, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nearly 600 children were admitted to US hospitals with a rare inflammatory syndrome associated with the novel coronavirus over four months during the peak of the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a report. Multisystem inflammatory…

US blacklists Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, other officials

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam WASHINGTON, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States imposed sanctions on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, the territory’s current and former police chiefs and eight other top officials for what Washington says is their role in curtailing political freedoms in the territory. The sanctions…

Spain’s ex-king Juan Carlos is in Abu Dhabi, says ABC newspaper

Juan Carlos is not formally under investigation and through his lawyer he has repeatedly declined to comment on corruption allegations MADRID/DUBAI, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Former Spanish king Juan Carlos has been staying at Abu Dhabi’s exclusive Emirates Palace Hotel since leaving Spain aboard a private jet on Monday under…

Afghan grand assembly gathers to decide fate of Taliban prisoners

Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani speaks during a consultative grand assembly, known as Loya Jirga, in Kabul KABUL, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of Afghan elders, community leaders and politicians gathered to debate whether the government should release 400 hard-core Taliban prisoners, a move that would likely quickly clear the path…

South Africa’s Pres Ramaphosa sets up body to probe COVID-19 corruption

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa  PRETORIA, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has set up a ministerial committee to investigate alleged corruption in state tenders in the fight against COVID-19, his office said, including with businesses supplying protective gear. Reports of suspect deals between government officials and…

Guinea’s ruling party nominates President Conde for third term

President Alpha Conde CONAKRY, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Guinea’s ruling party nominated President Alpha Conde to stand for a third term, taking advantage of a new constitution to circumvent a two-term limit on presidential mandates. Conde, 82, stopped short of formally accepting the nomination in a speech on Thursday. Talk…

Ivory Coast President Ouattara says he will run for third term

Alassane Ouattara delivers an address to the nation in Abidjan ABIDJAN, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said he would seek re-election in October, formally accepting the ruling party’s nomination to be its candidate and defying opponents who say the constitution forbids a third term. Ouattara, who…

Beirut explosion: UN warns of Lebanon humanitarian crisis

Lebanon’s main grain silo at Beirut port was destroyed by Tuesday’s explosion BEIRUT, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) —UN agencies have warned of a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon after Tuesday’s devastating blast in Beirut. Lebanon was already suffering a major economic downturn before the explosion, which left at least 154 people dead, 5,000 injured…