Covid-19: Main Cuban oxygen plant fails amid virus surge

HAVANA, Aug 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Cuba’s public health minister said efforts were underway to restart the country’s main oxygen factory which had broken down even as the death toll from COVID-19 on Saturday reached 98, equal to the pandemic record. Minister Jose Angel Portal’s appearance on the state’s mid-day news broadcast…

Afghanistan: Taliban declares ‘war is over’

Taliban fighters drive an Afghan National Army (ANA) vehicle through the streets of Laghman province KABUL, Aug 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Taliban declared the war in Afghanistan was over after insurgents took control of the presidential palace in Kabul as US-led forces departed and Western nations scrambled on Monday to…

Airlines reroute flights to avoid Afghanistan airspace

Airlines rerouting some flights to avoid Afghanistan airspace KABUL, Aug 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Major airlines are rerouting flights to avoid Afghanistan airspace after the Taliban took control of the presidential palace in Kabul as US-led forces departed and Western nations scrambled on Monday to evacuate their citizens. United Airlines, British…

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…