US vaping-related deaths rise to 34, cases of illness to 1,604

WASHINGTON, Oct 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — U.S. health officials reported 1,604 confirmed and probable cases and one new death from a mysterious respiratory illness tied to vaping, taking the total toll to 34. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,479 cases and 33 deaths from the illness…

UN to probe abuses in Chile as protest death toll hits 18

A demonstrator in Santiago holds a sign reading “Chile has awakened” SANTIAGO, Oct 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations said it would send a special mission to investigate human rights abuses in Chile, where a general strike went into its second day following a week of street protests that left…

France loses diesel pollution fight in EU court

Judges of the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg LUXEMBOURG, Oct 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The EU’s top court ruled on Thursday that France has persistently exceeded the threshold limit for nitrogen dioxide, a polluting gas from diesel motors that causes major health problems. The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, referred…

NATO hammers Turkey on Syria operation

A Turkish army armoured vehicle advances in the Syrian city of Tel Abyad, BRUSSELS, Oct 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — NATO defence ministers slammed Turkey for its military operation in Syria conducted with Russia’s help, but recognised there was little they could do to sanction their strategically important ally. The first day…

UN refugee agency expresses concern at Greek asylum plans

ATHENS, Oct 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations refugees agency UNHCR expressed concern about Greek proposals to overhaul laws affecting asylum seekers, saying they could weaken the protection of refugees. Greece has adopted a tougher stance on migration since the conservative government led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis came to…

President offers to meet protesters paralysing Lebanon

BEIRUT, Oct 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Lebanon’s president offered to meet the protesters whose week-old mobilisation to demand a complete overhaul of the political system has brought the country to a standstill. But Michel Aoun’s first speech since the start of the unprecedented protest movement was met with disdain by demonstrators who…

Kurdish forces start Syria-Turkey border pullback

Syrian Kurds protest against the carve-up of their northeastern heartland by Ankara and Moscow QAMISHLI (Syria), Oct 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria left several positions along the long border with Turkey on Thursday, complying with a deal that sees Damascus, Ankara and Moscow carve up their now-defunct…

Australia rejects prominent Cameroon reporter visa for press freedom summit

Mimi Mefo BERLIN, Oct 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A prominent Cameroonian journalist invited to speak at press freedom conference in Australia has had her visa application rejected.Mimi Mefo Takambo, who is based in Germany, said on Twitter that she believed she was denied entry because Australian authorities thought she might attempt…

South African man who rescued rape victim nominated for Men of the Year award

PRETORIA, Oct 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A man who was stabbed on the head and back while trying to stop a sexual assault in Cape Town, South Africa, has been nominated for the SA Men of the Year Awards.Radius Masukume, 49, was walking to work across an open field on Oct…

Thousands in Guinea march against president’s possible third term bid

CONAKRY, Oct 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands took to the streets of Guinea on Thursday in the largest protest yet over a suspected effort by President Alpha Conde to seek a third term.Protesters chanted “Amoulanfe” – “it will not happen” in the Susu language – and “Free the prisoners” on their…