Unsustainable debt: Don’t expect relief, US warns Africa

PRETORIA, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — African countries running up debt they won’t be able to pay back, including to China, should not expect to be bailed out by western-sponsored debt relief, the United States’ top Africa diplomat warned. The International Monetary Fund and World Bank began the Heavily Indebted Poor…

Russia warns of repeat of 1962 Cuban missile crisis

MOSCOW, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US deployment of land-based missile systems near Russia’s borders could lead to a stand-off comparable to the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying on Monday (Jun 24). Russia has been fiercely critical of US plans to deploy missile…

Pres Bolsonaro wants F1 to remain in Brazil, backs Rio to host Grand Prix from 2021

BRASILIA, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro vowed to move the 2021 Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix to Rio de Janeiro after the contract for Sao Paulo’s Interlagos racetrack expires next year. Bolsonaro said a yet-to-be-built private racetrack in Rio would have a capacity for 130,000 fans compared…

France delays national school exams as heatwave begins

PARIS, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The French government said it was taking the unusual step of delaying national school exams scheduled for this week to protect pupils during a heatwave. Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said the Brevet national diploma exam – a key test for children aged around 14 that was set…

Mexico vows to identify thousands of remains, ‘worst legacy’ of violence – Pres Obrador

MEXICO CITY, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexico’s government vowed to identify thousands of human remains that have accumulated in morgues and mass graves during more than a decade of gang violence and stirred anger among bereaved families. The government said it would initially commit 400 million pesos to work through…

Parents of girl from India who died in US desert ‘desperate’ for asylum

TUCSON (Arizona, US), June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The parents of a six-year-old migrant girl from India who died of heat stroke in an Arizona desert said they sought asylum in the United States because they were “desperate.” “We wanted a safer and better life for our daughter and we made…

UN Security Council urges dialogue, end to US-Iran tensions

UNITED NATIONS, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN Security Council called for dialogue and measures to end tensions in the Gulf, but Iran rejected talks with the United States after President Donald Trump imposed fresh sanctions. In a unanimous press statement drafted by Kuwait, the council condemned recent attacks on oil tankers,…

Zimbabwe declares interim RTGS dollar its sole legal currency

HARARE, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe has declared its interim currency, the RTGS dollar, the country’s sole legal tender with effect from Monday, according to a government notice. “The British pound, United States dollar, South African rand, Botswana pula and any other foreign currency whatsoever shall no longer be legal…

Ethiopia Amhara ‘coup ringleader killed’

The renegade general was released from prison last year  ADDIS ABABA, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The suspected ringleader of Saturday’s failed coup attempt in Ethiopia’s Amhara region has been shot dead, police say. Brig-Gen Asaminew Tsige was killed as he attempted to escape from his hideout in Amhara’s capital, police added. Ethiopia’s…

Mexico cracks down at US border with 15,000 troops

MEXICO CITY, June 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexico has deployed nearly 15,000 soldiers and National Guardsmen to its border with the United States, the army chief said — admitting they are detaining migrants who try to cross, after the policy triggered backlash. Under pressure from US President Donald Trump to slow…