Greek economy to grow despite Covid, fires; aided by tourism, says minister

         ATHENS, Aug 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Greece’s economy will weather the twin blows of the Covid-19 pandemic and massive wildfires this year, aided by better-than-expected tourism arrivals, the finance minister said. “It’s a good year compared to last year. Compared to our estimates…it’s much better,” Finance Minister Christos Staikouras…

Ethiopia conflict: PM Abiy denounces ‘destructive’ rebel alliance as conflict grows

ADDIS ABABA, Aug 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ethiopia denounced a “destructive alliance” unveiled this week between rebels from war-torn Tigray and a group from Oromia, the country’s largest region.At a press conference, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s spokeswoman Billene Seyoum noted that lawmakers in May formally designated both the Oromo Liberation Army…

Niger floods: Heavy rains cause 52 deaths, 4,000 houses damaged

More than 4000 houses collapsed and 52 people died NIAMEY, Aug 14 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Heavy rainfall in Niger triggered severe flooding in several parts of the country resulting in more than 4000 houses collapsed and 52 people died. In Niamey, the village of Gaba Goura is one of the most…

NGO warns of disappearance of 18 migrants through a shipwreck in Morocco

One survivor told the NGO that 58 people were on the boat RABAT, Aug 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 18 migrants are missing since the sinking of the vessel they were travelling in off the coast of Tarfaya, in the far south of Morocco, after an unsuccessful attempt to reach…

Election vote count begins in Zambia

Presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema and incumbent president Edgar Lungu LUSAKA, Aug 14 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Vote counting has now begun in Zambia following the successful staging of the southern African nation’s general elections.After 12 hours of voting, polling stations started closing at 6 pm (1600 GMT), though hundreds still in queues…

Covid-19: Norway aims to lift most restrictions in September

OSLO, Aug 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Norway will lift the majority of its remaining Covid restrictions once all adults have been offered a vaccine, which is expected to be around Sept 6, the government said. The final step in the lifting of domestic restrictions, already postponed from the start of July,…

Algeria wildfires: Fire crews make headway as the nation holds second day of mourning for the 71 killed

         ALGIERS, Aug 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Firefighters battled wildfires still raging across northern Algeria Friday assisted by volunteers, but the deadly blazes in the worst-hit province of Tizi Ouzou were largely extinguished, the emergency services said. The North African country was observing a second day of national mourning for…

Spain wildfires: Firefighters bring northeastern blaze under control

MADRID, Aug 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Firefighters brought a wildfire in a forest in Spain’s northeastern region of Catalonia under control as scorching temperatures put most of the country at risk for blazes. A punishing heatwave has fanned wildfires across southern European in recent weeks, claiming lives in Greece, Italy and…

Haiti: General elections postponed to Nov 7

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Aug 13 (NNN-TELESUR) — Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) announced that the date of the first round of the presidential elections will change from Sept 26 to Nov 7. On this day, the parliamentary elections and the constitutional referendum will also take place. The elections for local authorities will…

Mexico declares drought emergency

MEXICO CITY, Aug 13 (NNN-EFE) — The National Water Commission (CONAGUA) declared the beginning of an emergency because of the occurrence of severe, extreme, or exceptional drought in the Mexican watersheds. This declaration will allow the authorities to establish transitory measures to guarantee the provision of water for domestic use,…