Iraq: At least eight dead in Baghdad suicide bombing

BAGHDAD, May 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least eight people were killed and 15 wounded in a suicide bombing at a market in eastern Baghdad on Thursday, a security official said. “A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt blew himself up close to stalls at the crowded Jamila market,” said the senior…

ANC takes commanding lead in South Africa’s election but support ebbs

PRETORIA, May 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The African National Congress (ANC) strolled towards victory in South Africa’s election on Friday, partial results showed, though the party is on course for its worst performance in a national poll in its 25 years in government. As of 2211 GMT, ballots in 69.98 per…

Two Venezuelan lawmakers seek refuge in embassies after crackdown on Guaido allies

BUENOS AIRES, May 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two Venezuelan lawmakers sought refuge at foreign embassies in Caracas on Thursday, as the government of President Nicolas Maduro cracked down on allies of opposition leader Juan Guaido who supported his attempted uprising last week. Richard Blanco of the Brave Peoples’ Alliance party entered…

US envoy slams UN over ‘tired talking points’ on Israel

UNITED NATIONS, May 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Middle East envoy berated the UN Security Council for “rehashing tired talking points” criticising Israeli settlements and said an upcoming US peace plan would provide a fresh approach. Jason Greenblatt told a council meeting on Thursday that the United Nations was biased against…

Brazil’s ex-president Temer turns himself in to police

SAO PAULO, May 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazil’s ex-president Michel Temer handed himself in to police in Sao Paulo on Thursday, the day after a court ordered his return to prison. Temer, 78, arrived at federal police headquarters in Sao Paulo in a convoy of vehicles, two hours before a deadline. He…

Kenyan court sentences Briton to four years on terrorism charges

MOMBASA (Kenya), May 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Kenyan court sentenced a British man to four years in prison on charges of helping to plan attacks in Kenya and possessing bomb-making materials. Jermaine Grant was convicted of the offences in late April in a judgement that found him to be in…

Italian ships rescue 66 migrants off Libya

ROME, May 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sixty-six migrants were rescued in international waters off Libya on Thursday during two separate operations carried out by the Italian navy and a charity ship, raising the likelihood of a new stand-off over which port will take them in. The first group of 36 migrants…

Mexico City bans disposable plastics

MEXICO CITY, May 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexico City’s legislature voted Thursday to ban businesses from buying, selling or giving their customers disposable plastics, a major shift for a sprawling capital that is awash in them. The ban, set to come into force in December 2020 or January 2021, includes such articles…

US hikes tariffs on Chinese goods, China says to strike back

WASHINGTON/BEIJING, May 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff increase to 25per cent on US$200 billion worth of Chinese goods took effect on Friday, and Beijing said it would strike back, ratcheting up tensions as the two sides pursue last-ditch talks to try salvaging a trade deal. China’s Commerce…

Singapore confirms first case of monkeypox, patient’s close contacts quarantined

SINGAPORE, May 10 (NNN-CNA) — A case of imported monkeypox infection has been confirmed in Singapore.  The patient is a 38-year-old Nigerian who arrived on Apr 28 and tested positive for the virus on May 8, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a media release.  He is in stable condition in an isolation…