Finland apologizes for violating Russian waters

HELSINKI, Aug 3 (NNN-XINHUA) —Finland has apologized to Russia for a maritime border violation, media reported on Friday. Finnish mine sweeper Hameenmaa erroneously entered Russian waters on Thursday. The vessel had sailed some 600 meters into Russian territory, west of the island of Hogland in the Gulf of Finland, the Finnish News Agency STT…

At least 4 dead in bus crash in Honduras

TEGUCIGALPA, Aug 3 (NNN-XINHUA) — At least four people died and many others were injured during a bus crash on a highway that connects to the South of Honduras, the Fire Department said. The bus overturned Friday on the hillside of Moramulca, some 53 kilometers from Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, according to preliminary reports.…

Drug decriminalization requires more “responsibility”: Mexican President

MEXICO CITY, Aug 3 (NNN-XINHUA) — Potential decriminalization of drugs would have to be implemented with “responsibility” in order not to interfere with efforts to prevent drug abuse, especially among young people, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said. “We have to analyze it, we can’t rule out anything that helps address this serious health…

US: San Francisco airport bans sale of plastic bottles

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — San Francisco International Airport is banning the sale of single-use plastic bottles and will require fliers to buy refillable bottles if they’re not already carrying their own, US media reported on Friday. The new rule comes into effect on Aug 20, the San Francisco…

Russian opposition to take to streets again, defying crackdown

MOSCOW, Aug 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Russian opposition vowed to stageanother mass rally Saturday despite increasing pressure from authorities, who arrested nearly 1,400 people at a protest last week and have launched a criminal probe into the movement. The march along Moscow’s leafy boulevards will be the latest in a…

Puerto Rico governor steps down but successor’s status unclear

SAN JUAN, Aug 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Puerto Rico’s governor Ricardo Rossello stepped down as planned on Friday after being pushed out of office by massive street protests. With hundreds of people in the streets ahead of Rossello’s exit, the Houseof Representatives confirmed Pedro Pierluisi as secretary of state, makinghim the…

Sudan generals, protest leaders agree on constitutional declaration

KHARTOUM, Aug 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sudan’s ruling generals and protestleaders reached a “full agreement” on the constitutional declaration, the African Union said on Saturday, paving the way for transitioning to civilianrule. The document is complementary to a power-sharing deal signed on July 17that aims to form a joint civilian-military ruling…

Container of laptops for Kenya parliament arrives empty

Kenyan parliament NAIROBI, Aug 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A container that should have been full of computers donated by China to Kenya’s parliament has arrived empty. Officials are mystified by the disappearance as the seals on the container had not been broken. “I can’t understand how an empty container was loaded…

Sudan’s military council detains 9 soldiers for the student killings

KHARTOUM, Aug 3 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Sudan’s military council spokesman said that nine soldiers from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were dismissed and detained in connection with recent violence in the cities of Omdurman and El-Obeid.Spokesman Lieutenant General Shams El Din Kabbashi added that the governor of North Kordofan state and…

Zimbabwe anger over US sanctions on ex-commander

HARARE, Aug 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe has accused the US of fanning divisions after travel sanctions were imposed on its ambassador to Tanzania, an ex-presidential guard who allegedly commanded troops who killed six civilians in a post-election protest last year.Anselem Sanyatwe is the first Zimbabwean official to be put on…