Afghanistan crisis: UK says Russia, China needed for ‘moderating influence’ over Taliban

LONDON, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain would have to turn to Russia and China to exercise a “moderating influence” over the Taliban, despite a mistrust between the UK and those governments, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said. “We’re going to have to bring in countries with a potentially moderating influence like…

Tunisian president takeover sparks fears for freedoms

  TUNIS, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Concern is mounting over freedoms in Tunisia as President Kais Saied presses ahead with a “purge” that has seen politicians, judges and businessmen arrested or banned from travel, activistssay.   On July 25, Saied sacked the government and suspended parliament for one month citing…

Key ally German Chancellor Merkel visits Ukraine before leaving office

KIEV, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits Ukraine on Sunday, an ally she has supported in its conflict with pro-Russia separatists but has disappointed with her appetite for Russian gas. She will meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky just two days after holding talks with his Russian counterpart…

Henri upgraded to hurricane as it threatens US coast

NEW YORK, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A swath of the US East Coast, including New York City, was under alert, as storm Henri was upgraded to what could be the first hurricane in 30 years to hit New England. Forecasters warned of violent winds, the risk of flash floods and…

UN mission welcomes eastern-based Libyan army’s release of detainees

TRIPOLI, Aug 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Saturday welcomed the release of a group of detainees by the eastern-based army. UNSMIL welcomes the recent release of detainees as a result of the continued confidence-building efforts by the Joint Military Commission and its strong…

At least 8 dead, 3 missing after Hurricane Grace in Mexico

At least eight people were dead and three missing after Hurricane Grace hit eastern Mexico MEXICO CITY, Aug 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — At least eight people were dead and three missing after Hurricane Grace hit eastern Mexico, Cuitlahuac Garcia, governor of the state of Veracruz, reported. Grace, the second Atlantic hurricane…

US floods: At least 10 dead, around 40 missing in Tennessee’s Humphreys County

Catastrophic flooding is seen in this aerial image from Waverly, Tennessee HUMPHREYS COUNTY (Tennessee, US), Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Authorities in Tennessee’s Humphreys County say multiple people have died and others are still missing after severe flooding Saturday. Sheriff Chris Davis confirmed that there are “multiple fatalities” and “multiple missing” throughout…

Somali PM orders probe into killing of 7 civilians by African Union troops in southern region

MOGADISHU, Aug 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Roble ordered investigations into the deaths of seven civilians reportedly killed by the African Union troops during a counter-offensive in Golweyn, the southern part of the country. The prime minister’s spokesman Mohamed Moalimuu said Roble has formed a ministerial committee to…

Russia says new sanctions show U.S. unwillingness to mend ties

MOSCOW, Aug 22 (NNN-Xinhua) — New US sanctions against Russia showed the Biden administration’s “lack of political will and unwillingness” to build Moscow-Washington relations on a partnership basis, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. The ministry’s spokesperson Maria Zakharova made the comments in a statement after the United States on Friday…

Covid-19: Italian minister defends making vaccination obligatory for teachers

Italy was at a point one of the hardest hit COVID-19 countries globally ROME, Aug 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — In the ongoing dispute over the rules for getting children back to school in Italy, Education Minister Patrizio Bianchi has defended the mandatory vaccine requirement for teachers.“This is not a punishment, but…