Wildfire situation eases in Russia as 177 blazes still burn

Forest fires have burned an area of about half a million hectares MOSCOW, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia’s forestry agency reported the country’s wildfire situation was easing up, although there were still 177 blazes burning across an area of around half a million hectares.At its peak this summer, the fires…

Denmark reorganising its foreign service, to close its embassy in several nations

Denmark’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Jeppe Kofod COPENHAGEN, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Denmark will close its embassies in several countries as it restructures its foreign service in order to deliver on the government’s priorities, it announced Friday.It will also close its embassy in Argentina, Tanzania, its Consulate General in Chongqing, China…

Covid-19: Unvaccinated US school teacher spread virus to 26 people, including a dozen students

WASHINGTON, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An unvaccinated teacher at an elementary school in California spread the Delta variant of the coronavirus to at least 26 other people, including 12 students in their classroom, a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. The health agency said…

Climate activists deface City of London buildings in intensifying campaign

Police officers stand in front of a building stained with red paint during an Extinction Rebellion protest in London LONDON, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Climate change activists daubed red paint on the glass facade of the London headquarters of bank Standard Chartered and on the medieval Guildhall building nearby as…

Covid-19: Russia says July was the deadliest month of the pandemic

MOSCOW, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia saw the highest monthly coronavirus death toll of the pandemic in July, with 50,421 people dying from COVID-19 or related causes during the month, state statistic service Rosstat said. The death toll exceeded the number of coronavirus deaths in December, hitherto the deadliest month…

Covid-19: US coronavirus hospitalisations hit eight-month high over 100,000

WASHINGTON, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The number of coronavirus patients in US hospitals has breached 100,000, the highest level in eight months, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, as a resurgence of COVID-19 spurred by the highly contagious Delta variant strains the nation’s health care system. A total…

UK: PM Johnson promises help for Afghans still seeking resettlement

UK PM Boris Johnson LONDON, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that he would do his utmost to help Afghans who are eligible for resettlement in Britain but have been unable to reach Kabul airport for evacuation. Earlier on Friday defence minister Ben Wallace said Britain’s…

US intelligence community says it cannot solve COVID-19 mystery without China

WASHINGTON, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US intelligence community does not believe it can resolve a debate over whether a Chinese laboratory incident was the source of COVID-19 without more information, US officials said in a declassified summary. US officials said only China can help solve questions about the true origins of the…

US drone strike targets Daesh ‘planner’ in Afghanistan: Pentagon

A US military helicopter is pictured flying above the US embassy in Kabul WASHINGTON:, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US military said it had carried out a Friday drone strike against a “planner” of the Islamic State-Khorasan, the group which claimed credit for the deadly suicide bombing at Kabul airport.…

Kabul bombers must be brought ‘to justice’: UN Security Council

   UNITED NATIONS, Aug 28 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations Security Council urged the international community to bring the perpetrators and instigators of the twin suicide bombings at Kabul airport to justice, in a joint statement released Friday. “The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators,…