Indonesia has to strike balance between health and economy; COVID-19 policies are consistent, says Jokowi

JAKARTA, Aug 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — COVID-19 has taught Indonesia how to find a balance between health and economic interests, said President Joko Widodo as he addressed perceptions that government policies may not have been consistent when it comes to tackling the pandemic. Speaking at the annual State of the Nation…

Most Algeria forest fires ‘under control’: emergency services

 ALGIERS, Aug 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Most of the deadly forest fires that have hit northern Algeria in the past week are “under control” and no longer endanger residents, the country’s emergency services said.   Firefighters were still struggling Sunday to put out 19 blazes, after over 90 people, including 33…

Three soldiers killed in NE Mali explosion

 BAMAKO, Aug 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three Malian soldiers were killed by an improvised explosive device as they were driving to an airport in the restive northeast, the country’s armed forces said.   A military vehicle “en route to the airport in Menaka hit an improvised explosive device this Sunday,” the…

Four Palestinians killed in clashes with Israel forces

Israeli soldiers in Jenin RAMALLAH, Aug 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least four Palestinians were killed Monday in clashes with Israeli security forces at Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, an Israeli official and the Palestinian health ministry said. The Israel Border Police, which operates in the Israeli occupied West…

Indonesia volcano erupts, blankets villages in ash

 JAKARTA, Aug 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Indonesia’s most active volcano Mount Merapi erupted Monday, belching a cloud of ash into the air as red lava flowed down its crater.    The early morning explosions spewed clouds as far as 3.5 kilometres from the rumbling volcano, blanketing local communities in grey ash.…

Afghanistan: Commercial flights out of Kabul cancelled due to chaos at airport

 KABUL, Aug 16, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Commercial flights from Kabul were cancelled Monday after chaotic scenes at the airport with thousands looking for a way out after the Taliban re-took power in Afghanistan.   “There will be no commercial flights from Hamid Karzai Airport to prevent looting and plundering. Please…

Nigerian police arrest 20 suspects in attack on Muslim travellers

ABUJA, Aug 16 (NNN-Xinhua) — Nigerian police confirmed that 20 suspects were arrested in connection with the killing of 22 travellers in central Nigeria’s Plateau state on Saturday. Police have deployed an intervention team to the Plateau state to carry out an on-the-spot assessment and enhance a response to protect…

Covid-19: Delta variant responsible for 70 percent of active cases in Palestine – official

RAMALLAH, Aug 16 (NNN-Xinhua) — A senior Palestinian official unveiled that 70 percent of the active COVID-19 cases in the Palestinian territories are of the Delta variant. Palestine might have already entered the fourth wave of the disease, as more infections and hospitalizations are being logged every day, Wesam Sbaihat,…

120 illegal migrants rescued off Libyan coast

TRIPOLI, Aug 16 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said 120 illegal migrants were rescued and returned to Libya. “Earlier today, some 120 persons were rescued/intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guards in two disembarkation operations,” UNHCR tweeted. “The individuals were returned to the Tripoli Naval Base…

Covid-19: Fiji records 3 deaths, 467 new cases

SUVA, Aug 16 (NNN-Xinhua) — Fiji has recorded 3 deaths and 467 new cases of COVID-19, according to health officials on Monday. Fiji’s Permanent Secretary for Health James Fong said there had been 231 new recoveries of COVID-19 since Sunday. Fiji now has 23,831 active cases of which 17,226 are…