Caribbean: Hurricane Humberto strengthens to Category 3 storm

WASHINGTON, Sept 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hurricane Humberto strengthened to a major Category 3 storm on Tuesday and was expected to pass near Bermuda, threatening it with dangerous waves and heavy rain, the US National Hurricane Center said. “Hurricane conditions are expected to reach Bermuda by Wednesday night and continue into…

Brazil probe into Vale dam collapse to conclude within days, prosecutor says

A view of a collapsed tailings dam in Brumadinho, Brazil RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A criminal investigation into the fatal collapse of a dam owned by mining firm Vale SA should be concluded in the coming days, a Brazilian prosecutor said, with charges to follow. “State prosecutors…

Migrant mothers and children sue US over asylum ban

WASHINGTON, Sept 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 125 migrant mothers and children have sued the U.S. government, claiming the Trump administration has violated the rights of asylum-seekers through the arbitrary and capricious implementation of a virtual asylum ban at the southern border. The lawsuit, filed late on Monday, was the…

US seeking to make Cubans seek asylum in Honduras – FM Rosales

TEGUCIGALPA, Sept 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Honduran Foreign Minister Lisandro Rosales said that negotiations with the United States could make Cuban migrants passing through the Central American country seek refuge there. Such arrangements are known as safe third country agreements, which are part of a larger effort by President Donald Trump…

Mexico: 29 bodies found in plastic bags in mass grave

View of the well turned into a mass grave GUADALAJARA (Mexico), Sept 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexican forensics experts have found at least 29 bodies stuffed in 119 plastic bags that were dumped in the bottom of a well outside the western city of Guadalajara, officials said. Experts have been working…

Libya’s UN-backed government launches airstrikes on east-based army

TRIPOLI, Sept 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — Libya’s UN-backed government on Tuesday said that it has launched airstrikes on the rival eastern-based army in southern Tripoli. “The air force launched four airstrikes in Spe’a, Suq al-Khamis, and Emsehel areas in southern Tripoli,” said Mohamed Gununu, spokesman for the UN-backed government’s forces. The…

Eyeing France 2022 presidential elections, Pres Macron signals tougher line on immigration

PARIS, Sept 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — With an eye on re-election, France’s Emmanuel Macron has signalled a tougher line on immigration, arguing that the government must end its “lax” approach to prevent voters from drifting to the far right. Setting out his priorities for the second half of his mandate on Monday…

Brazil prosecutor orders indictments in Rio councilwoman murder case

BRASILIA, Sept 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazil’s top public prosecutor ordered five people indicted over sabotaging efforts to investigate the assassination of a Rio de Janeiro city councilwoman, and said federal investigators would take over the case. In comments to reporters on her last day in office, Brazil’s prosecutor general, Raquel…

Senegal: Tourist boat capsizes during heavy storm, killing four, three missing

Senegalese rescuers prepare for search and rescue mission DAKAR, Sept 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Four people died after a boat carrying dozens of tourists capsized during heavy storms in Senegal, authorities said. The death toll could rise as three passengers were said to be missing after the accident. The boat was carrying…

French police begin to clear migrants sheltered at Dunkirk gym

Police moved in shortly after dawn to clear the camp on Tuesday PARIS, Sept 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French police are clearing nearly 1,000 migrants from a gymnasium near the northern port city of Dunkirk after a court ruled it was a health and security hazard. The mayor of Grande-Synthe, a…