Nord Stream 2: Germany ready to sanctions if Russia use gas pipeline as weapon, says outgoing Chancellor Merkel

Angela Merkel sought to reassure Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky over the Russian-led Nord Stream 2 project KIEV,Aug 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel said further sanctions may be imposed on Russia if it uses a controversial gas pipeline against Ukraine. Merkel, on her final visit to Kyiv before leaving office,…

Update: At least 21 dead in flooding in US state of Tennessee

  WASHINGTON, Aug 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Devastating floods in the southern US state of Tennessee have left at least 21 people dead and dozens missing, local officials said in what they warned was a preliminary toll.   Tennessee was hit Saturday by what meteorologists called historic storms and flooding, dumping…

G7 to discuss Afghanistan on Tuesday: UK PM Johnson

   LONDON, Aug 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — G7 leaders will discuss the crisis in Afghanistan on Tuesday in a virtual summit, Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced.   “It is vital that the international community works together to ensure safe evacuations, prevent a humanitarian crisis and support the Afghan people…

Tropical Storm Henri bears down on US east coast

  NEW YORK, Aug 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tropical Storm Henri was on course to make landfall on the US east coast, with millions in New England and New York’s Long Island preparing for flash flooding, violent winds and poweroutages.    The US National Hurricane Center said in its advisory that…

Bolivian ex-president Anez ‘stable’ after suicide bid in jail

LA PAZ, Aug 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Jailed Bolivian ex-president Jeanine Anez was in “stable” condition after she tried to kill herself when prosecutors charged her with “genocide” over 2019 protesters’ deaths, an official said. Anez, 54, made an attempt on her life due to “severe depression” due to her prolonged…

Pres Biden hopes to end Afghan airlift on time as Taliban blame US for chaos

 WASHINGTON, Aug 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Joe Biden said he still hopes to finalize the dramatic evacuation of tens of thousands of people from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan by Aug 31, as the Islamists blamed Washington for harrowing scenes of chaos and despair at the airport in Kabul. One week after…

US floods: At least 16 dead in flooding in state of Tennessee

 WASHINGTON, Aug 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Devastating floods in the southern US state of Tennessee have left at least 16 people dead and dozens missing, local officials said in what they warned was a preliminary toll. Tennessee was hit Saturday by what meteorologists called historic storms and flooding, dumping 15 inches…

Russian rocket launches 34 new UK satellites

  MOSCOW, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Russian Soyuz rocket has blasted into space carrying 34 new satellites from British operator Oneweb, which aims to provide broadband internet everywhere in the world.   The rocket operated by Europe’s Arianespace took off successfully at 2213 GMT Saturday from the Baikonur cosmodrome…

Afghanistan crisis: Seven people die in chaos near Kabul airport, says UK defence ministry

A demonstrator holds a banner as he takes part in a ‘Save Afghanistan’ protest in Parliament Square, in London, Britain    LONDON, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Seven Afghan civilians have died in the chaos near Kabul airport, the British defence ministry said Sunday.    “Our sincere thoughts are with the…

German train drivers’ union calls further strike action

Passengers waiting at a train station BERLIN, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Germany’s rail passengers will have to face a further round of strikes by train drivers from Monday to Wednesday next week.The German Train Drivers’ Union (GDL) called on its members to walk out for the second time in the…