Cuban population decreases and ageing increases

HAVANA, Aug 21 (NNN-Prensa Latina) — The demographic trend in Cuba points to the population decrease and aging, according to data from the National Statistics and Information Bureau (ONEI). 20.4% of Cubans are 60 years old and older, the newspaper Granma reported, which considers the Cuban demographic aging as accelerated.…

Kenya’s crude oil to hit international market next week

NAIROBI, Aug 21 (NNN-KBC) — Kenya’s maiden crude oil will hit the international market next week destined for China. The crude oil will be shipped by Chinese state owned firm ChemChina which won the tender to buy the maiden Kenyan oil early this month. Petroleum Principal Secretary Andrew Kamau has…

Cameroon: A dozen passengers kidnapped in Far North region

YAOUNDE, Aug 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — Unknown gunmen kidnapped a dozen passengers Tuesday afternoon in Cameroon’s Far North region, according to security sources. Local officials said they were abducted along a highway in Dabanga, a locality in Logone and Chari division of the region. The Cameroon army is conducting a rescue…

Uganda abolishes mandatory death penalty

KAMPALA, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Parliament in Uganda has passed a law that abolishes the mandatory death penalty for certain crimes, amending four different laws that had earlier prescribed capital punishment, including the Anti-Terrorism Act. If approved by President Yoweri Museveni, the amendments will restrict the death penalty to just…

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…