Syrian Kurdish fighters ‘pulling back’ from Turkey border

Kurdish forces will hand over control to military councils formed by local fighters  DAMASCUS, Aug 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The US military posted photographs it said showed SDF forces destroying fortifications The Kurdish-led authorities in north-eastern Syria say a US-backed Kurdish militia has begun withdrawing from territory along the border with Turkey. The…

Yemen war: Government forces re-enter key city of Aden

Yemeni pro-government forces retook Ataq, in Shabwa province, on Saturday  ADEN, Aug 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Forces loyal to Yemen’s government have re-entered the southern city of Aden, which they lost to previously allied separatists earlier this month. Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani said troops and militiamen had taken full control of…

Italy crisis: PD and Five Star agree coalition deal after talks

ROME, Aug 30 (NNN-AGENCIES0 — The leaders of Italy’s centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and populist Five Star Movement have agreed to form a coalition government. “We consider it worthwhile to try this experience,” the PD’s Nicola Zingaretti said after meeting the president on Wednesday – the deadline for any deal.…

Chile integrates 120 ecological buses into public transport

SANTIAGO, Aug 30 (NNN-XINHUA) — Santiago’s public transport system is integrating a fleet of 120 ecological buses, said Chilean Minister of Transportation and Communications Gloria Hutt. These new vehicles, “apart from being environmentally friendly, meet the new Metropolitan Mobility Network standard,” the new standard of the public transport system in Santiago, according to the minister.…

Brazil’s population surpasses 210 million

BRASILIA, Aug 30 (NNN-XINHUA) — Brazil’s population reached 210.1 million in July, up by 0.79 percent from 2018, the country’s statistics agency said. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the population of Roraima state in the northern region registered the greatest increase of 5.1 percent, up…

Australian police seize record 755 kg drugs in frozen cow hides

SYDNEY, Aug 30 (NNN-XINHUA) —Authorities in Australia have seized a record 755 kg of crystal methamphetamine (ice) uncovered inside a shipment of raw animal hides. As the largest onshore seizure of ice originating from Mexico, Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed they have charged a 42-year-old Mexican national who allegedly organised the importation on behalf…

Brazil bans burning for two months to defuse Amazon crisis

BRASILIA, Aug 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazil’s President JairBolsonaro signed a decree to ban burning throughout the country fortwo months, government sources cited in local media said, as the authorities scramble to defuse the Amazon fires which have triggered a global outcry. The blazes that have engulfed parts of the world’s…

Pakistan: No decision yet on airspace closure to India – FM Qureshi

ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (NNN-PTI) — Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that no decision has been taken yet to close the airspace to India, underlining that any such step would be taken after looking into each and every aspect of the move through consultation. Qureshi dismissed as speculative…

Pres Trump: US to keep 8,600 troops in Afghanistan after deal with Taliban

US soldiers in Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan. WASHINGTON, Aug 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Donald Trump said that US troop levels in Afghanistan will drop to 8,600 if a peace dealis reached with the Taliban and that a permanent presence will remain. “We’re going down to 8,600 and then we make…

Bangladesh: Action to be taken for travelling on train’s rooftops – Authority

DHAKA, Aug 30 (NNN-BSS) — Bangladesh Railway Authority declared that stern action would be taken against persons who travel on the train’s rooftops from Sept 1. The authority has requested the passengers not to travel on the rooftops of train as it may cause accidental deaths and injuries, said an…