Venezuela’s suicide epicenter battles further deaths

Mérida, Venezuela, Aug 13 (AFP/APP): Henry La Cruz jumps off his motorbike, darts to a young man and grabs hold of him just before he leaps from a viaduct. The 42-year-old firefighter who works in the Venezuelan state of Merida, the region of the country […]

Sierre Leone president accuses opposition of insurrection

Freetown, Aug 13 (AFP/APP):The president of Sierra Leone blamed deadly protests this week on opposition parties, claiming Friday night that his political rivals had attempted to overthrow his government in a “premeditated” insurrection. On Wednesday, a demonstration organised by women to draw attention to inflation […]

Sadr opponents announce rival Baghdad sit-in

Baghdad, Aug 12 (AFP/APP): Supporters of Iraq’s pro-Iran Coordination Framework began their own Baghdad sit-in Friday in riposte to a sit-in outside parliament by the rival Sadrist movement launched two weeks ago. In a statement read out to thousands of supporters gathered on one of […]

Afghanistan still needs immense humanitarian assistance: UN

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 12 (APP): Despite an unprecedented scale-up in assistance in Afghanistan over the past year, immense needs still exist and the future looks bleak, the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, said on Thursday. Following the Taliban takeover last August, UN agencies and their […]

Obstructions slow bid to save trapped Mexican miners

Agujita , Mexico, Aug 11 (AFP/APP):Rescuers trying to enter a flooded Mexican coal mine where 10 workers have been trapped for more than a week have encountered obstructions blocking their advance, authorities said Thursday. A soldier wearing a helmet and military fatigues and equipped with […]

Top Taliban cleric killed in Kabul suicide blast by IS

Kabul, Aug 11 (AFP/APP): A senior Taliban cleric known for his fiery speeches against the Islamic State (IS) was killed Thursday at his madrassa in the Afghan capital in a suicide attack claimed by the jihadist group. Rahimullah Haqqani, who had recently spoken publicly in […]