Four Afghans get 10-year jail terms for Greek migrant camp fire

Thousands of people were left without shelter after the fire CHIOS (Greece), June 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Greek court on Saturday sentenced four Afghan asylum seekers convicted of starting fires that burnt down Europe’s largest migrant camp last year to 10 years in prison each. The court in Chios found the…

Algeria holds parliamentary elections with 14.47 percent turnout

Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad casts his ballot for the parliamentary elections at a polling station in Algiers ALGIERS, June 13 (NNN-Xinhua) — Algeria held on Saturday its parliamentary elections, with a turnout of only 14.47 percent by 4 p.m local time as the polling stations closed at 8 p.m..…

Spain: Two women to helm Podemos, a radical left-wing party

MADRID, June 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain’s Podemos takes a new direction Sunday with Ione Belarra set to take over as leader following Pablo Iglesias’ departure, putting two women at the helm of the radical left-wing party. Following a week-long vote, activists from Podemos, the junior partner in Spain’s ruling coalition,…

Covid-19: Copa America rocked by Venezuela Covid outbreak on eve of opener

BRASÍLIA, June 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least eight players from the Venezuelan national football team have tested positive for Covid-19, the Brazilian health minister said Saturday, a day before they play the opening match of the Copa America against hosts Brazil. Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga told a press conference that…

Light-plane crash in France kills three

LILLE, France, June 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three people died after a sightseeing plane crashed in northern France Saturday, following what is thought to have been an engine failure, the local prosecutor said. The four-seater Robin HR 100 had just taken off from an airfield when it crashed and caught fire…

Covid-19: Brazilian Pres Bolsonaro fined for maskless motorcyle rally

SAO PAULO, June 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was fined $100 Saturday for violating Covid-19 containment measures in Sao Paulo state by failing to wear a face mask and provoking huge crowds at a motorcycle rally for supporters. Thousands of roaring motorcycles took part in the “Accelerate for…

Clashes after Tunisia demo against police violence

TUNIS, June 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Youths clashed with officers again Saturday evening, hours after a demonstration in the Tunisian capital, Tunis, to protest police violence following the latest death of a man arrested by police. In the working class district of Sidi Hassine, several dozen young people threw projectiles, including…

Ivory Coast: Police officer, two soldiers killed in IED blast

ABIDJAN, June 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least two soldiers and a police officer were killed Saturday when their vehicle hit an explosive device in northeast Ivory Coast near the border with Burkina Faso. “The explosion also left three wounded,” the source said. It comes a week after another attack by…

Texas Governor Abbott vows to build a wall along US-Mexico border

Greg Abbott, Texas governor DEL RIO (Texas, US), June 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Republican governor of the US state of Texas has announced plans to build a wall along the border with Mexico, drawing criticism from human rights organisations and advocacy groups.Greg Abbott has, however, offered no details on his…

First Tanzanian woman to summit Everest, named Tourism Ambassador

Rawan Dakik, named Tanzania’s Tourism Ambassador DAR ES SALAAM, June 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tanzania’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism named Rawan Dakik as the country’s Tourism Ambassador.Dakik, 20, is the first Tanzanian woman and youngest African to summit Mount Everest. She reached the mountain’s peak on May 25.Mount Everest…