One dead, over 100 ill in Spain’s biggest listeriosis outbreak

MADRID, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A 90-year-old Spanish woman died on Tuesday, 56 people have been hospitalised and dozens more taken ill in what is believed to be the biggest outbreak of listeriosis recorded in Spain, the health minister said. A nationwide alert was sent out after listeria, the bacteria…

Update: Brazil bus hijacker shot dead by police

A woman (L) passes out moments after she is released from a bus by a hijacker in the Rio-Niteroi bridge in Rio de Janeiro RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A hijacker armed with what turned out to be a toy gun was shot dead by police in Rio…

Update: Rescued migrants disembark as Italy justice probes Salvini

ROME, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Eighty-three migrants rescued at sea by the Open Arms disembarked early on Wednesday (Aug 21) from the charity rescue vessel in Italy’s Lampedusa island, television images showed, after Italian justice ordered they be brought ashore. The boat had spent six days anchored off Lampedusa before…

President of Uruguay says he may have lung cancer

MONTEVIDEO, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Uruguay’s President Tabare Vazquez announced that doctors detected a likely malignant growth in his right lung during a routine checkup. Vazquez, a 79-year-old former oncologist, said he would likely be hospitalised for a day or two while he undergoes additional exams to reach a definitive…

Argentina: President Macri swears in new finance minister to steady economy

BUENOS AIRES, Aug 21 (NNN-XINHUA) — Argentine President Mauricio Macri swore in his new finance minister Hernan Lacunza, calling on him to steady the country’s economy rocked by recent presidential primary elections. “I want to thank Hernan Lacunza for accepting this complicated responsibility at such a difficult time for Argentina,” Macri said at the swearing-in…

U.S. voices concern over attacks on airports in Western Libya

TRIPOLI, Aug 21 (NNN-XINHUA) — The U.S. Embassy in Libya expressed concern over attacks on civilian airports in western Libya, as the armed conflict between Libya’s UN-backed government and the rival eastern-based army continues. “In my introductory conversations with leaders on all sides … I stressed that the United States sees great risk in the…

Mexican court rules to allow recreational cocaine use

MEXICO CITY, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Mexican judge has granted two people’s requests to be allowed to use cocaine recreationally, the organization behind the cases said, calling it a “historic step” — though it must first be reviewed by a higher court. The rulings, the first of their kind…

Update: Residents return home as Canary Islands blaze weakens

ARTENARA (Spain), Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Residents forced from their homes when a devastating wildfire erupted on the Spanish holiday island of Gran Canaria began returning Tuesday, although firefighters were still battling to contain the blaze, officials said. Flames as high as 50 metres had complicated the battle against the…

US Pres Trump delays Denmark PM talks over lack of interest in Greenland sale

WASHINGTON, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Donald Trump announced that he is postponing a planned meeting with Denmark’s prime minister due to her lack of interest in selling Greenland to the United States. “Based on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s comments, that she would have no interest in discussing the purchase…

British PM Johnson, German Chancellor Merkel to face off in first Brexit talks

BERLIN, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Berlin on Wednesday to kick off a marathon of tense talks with key European and international leaders as the threat of a chaotic no-deal Brexit looms. On his first foreign visit since taking office, he will seek to convince…