Striking Canadian border agents reach deal on salaries, work environment

 MONTREAL, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A strike by Canadian border agents has ended with an agreement on raises and other issues, a union announced. Thousands of agents joined the work-to-rule strike Friday, three days before the land crossing reopens to Americans fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to the Public Service…

Brazil: Pres Bolsonaro fans judiciary flames, calls top judge ‘son of a whore’

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro BRASILIA, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro ignored calls to drop his feud with the Supreme Court on Friday (Aug 6) and called one of its justices a “son of a whore”, amid rising tensions over his unfounded claims the nation’s voting system is vulnerable…

Covid-19: Argentina partially reopens as it approaches 5 million cases

BUENOS AIRES, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Argentina will relax coronavirus restrictions as infection and mortality rates falls, the government announced, even as the South American nation approached 5 million cases with more than 107,000 deaths. The government said its plan includes an increase in the number of people who can…

Cuba legalizes small and medium enterprises in boost for private sector

HAVANA, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Cuban government approved a law authorizing the creation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), a major shift in the communist-ruled country where state-owned companies are the norm. The change comes nearly a month after thousands of Cubans flocked to the streets decrying dictatorship and…

Greece fires spread uncontrolled, killing a fireman

One of the worst blazes has struck the island of Evia, close to Athens ATHENS, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two people have been killed and six areas put on high alert as uncontrolled wildfires spread across Greece. Huge clouds of smoke are billowing over the northern outskirts of Athens, where people…

Mercer Street: Tanker blast evidence points to Iran, says US

The attack on the tanker as it sailed past the Omani island of Masirah killed two people  WASHINGTON, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US military’s Central Command has announced the results of its forensic investigation into last week’s fatal drone attack on a merchant tanker off Oman. It says explosives…

US: Two arrested over plot to kill Myanmar UN Ambassador, a vocal critic of the military junta

Kyaw Moe Tun is a vocal critic of Myanmar’s military rulers NEW YORK, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two Myanmar citizens have been arrested in the US for allegedly plotting to kill or injure Myanmar’s UN ambassador. The US attorney’s office in New York said Phyo Hein Htut and Ye Hein Zaw…

Northwestern Nigerian state suspends school resumption over insecurity

KADUNA (Nigeria), Aug 7 (NNN-XINHUA) — Nigeria’s northwestern state of Kaduna announced it would suspend the resumption of both public and private schools across the state as security operations against armed bandits proceed. “The Kaduna state government has accepted the security advisory, and hereby directs total compliance by all schools,…

US blacklists five ‘terrorist leaders’ in Africa

 WASHINGTON, Aug 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US State Department added five alleged senior members of jihadist groups in Africa to its terror blacklist, blocking access to any property or interests they may have in the United States. Heading the additions was Bonomade Machude Omar, the senior commander of ISIS-Mozambique, who…

Moldova’s new government sworn in

Pres Maia Sandu CHISINAU, Aug 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — Moldova’s new cabinet headed by Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita took the oath of office late Friday before President Maia Sandu at the Presidential Palace in central Chisinau, capital of Moldova, soon after receiving a vote of confidence in the parliament. The head…