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…

US, Venezuela in talks: Presidents Trump, Maduro

WASHINGTON, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro said Tuesday that talks between senior officials were underway, as the South American country struggles under the weight of US sanctions. “We are in touch. We’re talking to various representatives of Venezuela,” Trump told reporters.…

Brazil: Use of pesticides killed 500 million bees in three months

BRASILIA, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 500 million bees have died in Brazil in the last three months.In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, 400 million dead bees were found – with beekeepers in four states reporting the mass deaths.Researchers have blamed the use of pesticides – chemical…

Nigeria police re-arrests ‘millionaire kidnapper’ freed by soldiers

ABUJA, Aug 21 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Police in Nigeria have re-arrested a notorious kidnapper who was weeks back forcibly released by soldiers from detention.Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume, was arrested on Monday by police operatives at his hideout in the north-central Kano State.It would be recalled that the police had been on…

South Sudan appoints new foreign minister

South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir JUBA, Aug 21 (NNN-XINHUA) — South Sudanese President Salva Kiir sacked foreign minister Nhial Deng Nhial and replaced him with former gender, child and social welfare minister Awut Deng Achuil.Nhial, who was Kiir’s chief negotiator during last year’s peace talks in Sudan, was appointed to…

Brazil: Hostages released after police sniper ‘neutralises’ armed hijacker in Rio bus hijacking

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Police say a sniper has “neutralised” an armed man who took dozens of people hostage on a bus.The man, who reportedly identified himself as a policeman, took 37 people hostage on a bus that was travelling across a busy bridge connecting the suburb…

Mural from 3,800 years ago unveiled by Peru archaeologists

3,800 years old mural revealed in Peru by archaelogists. LIMA, Aug 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A mural thought to be 3,800 years old has been revealed by archaeologists in Peru.The wall, unveiled on Monday, was found inside a public ceremonial building at the Vichama site, north of Lima.The complex carved scene…