At least 17 people killed in Ethiopia during unrest over Sidama autonomy – local official

ADDIS ABABA, July 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 17 people have been killed in clashes between Ethiopian security forces and activists seeking a new autonomous region for their Sidama ethnic group, according to a local official and hospital authorities. A local district official said on Saturday that at least 13…

Panama becomes first Central American nation to ban plastic bags

PANAMA CITY, July 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Panama became the first Central American nation to ban single-use plastic bags to try to curb pollution on its beaches and help tackle what the United Nations has identified as one of the world’s biggest environmental challenges. The isthmus nation of roughly 4 million…

Nigeria president condemns latest killings in northwestern Sokoto state

ABUJA (Reuters) – Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the killing of 37 people by bandits in the northwestern state of Sokoto, his spokesman said in a statement. Local media said the attacks took place late on Friday, the latest flashpoint in the northwest by armed gangs that have killed…

Migrants hurt in North Macedonia after driver jumps from moving truck to avoid police

SKOPJE, July 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Police in North Macedonia said that 34 Afghan migrants have been injured in a highway accident after the driver of a truck carrying them north toward Serbia jumped from the moving vehicle attempting to escape a police patrol. Three migrants and the Macedonian truck driver…

Tunisia: Leader of moderate Islamist party says to stand for parliamentary elections

TUNIS, July 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Rached Ghannouchi, the influential leader of Tunisia’s moderate Islamist Ennahda party, will stand in the next parliamentary elections in October, a move widely seen as an attempt to seek a leadership position in the country. Exiled in London for about two decades during the time…

US Sec of State Pompeo to meet with Mexico’s foreign minister to discuss immigration, trade

MEXICO CITY, jJuly 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet with Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard on Sunday to discuss migration and trade, amid heightened bilateral tension ahead of a deadline on a deal that removed tariff threats on Mexican exports. Under the June agreement with…

Pres Zelenskiy’s party in spotlight as Ukraine holds snap parliament election

KIEV, July 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ukrainians started to vote in a snap parliamentary election on Sunday that could consolidate the power of new President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and hand the novice politician a stronger mandate for driving change in the war-scarred nation. A comedian with no prior policymaking experience, Zelenskiy caused…

DR Congo: One dead, 14 wounded in clash involving Pygmies near gorilla sanctuary

KINSHASA, July 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — One person was killed and 14 injured in clashes near a gorilla sanctuary in DR Congo where there has been mounting friction between park guards and local Pygmies.  The violence occurred near the Kahuzi Biega National Park, a UNESCO heritage site in eastern Democratic Republic…

Iceland tops Europe as most expensive

REYKJAVIK, July 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) –: The hot springs of Iceland are not the only thing making tourists sweat, as a look at the hotel or lunch bill will tell you that most things cost more, sometimes much more, than anywhere else in Europe. On the subarctic island, consumer prices were…

Wildfires hit central Portugal, 1,000 firefighters mobilised

LISBON, July 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 1,000 firefighters battled three blazes sweeping across central Portugal early on Sunday, prompting authorities to partially evacuate a village and leaving one person with severe injuries. Strong winds are making it tougher for firefighters to put out the blazes, which started on Saturday…