Nigerian security agents blockade parliament, chief later fired
Nigeria’s security forces stopped lawmakers entering parliament on Tuesday in a blockade seen by the opposition as a bid to intimidate its leaders, but the presidency condemned the move and the acting president fired the head of the security agency.
Belarus detains journalists, rights groups see move to muzzle free media
Three journalists working for independent news outlets in Belarus were detained on Tuesday on suspicion of hacking the computer systems of state-run news agency BelTA and stealing its data, the authorities said.
Brazil communist says she and Haddad can win race if Lula barred
Brazilian lawmaker Manuela D’Avila said on Tuesday she and former Sao Paulo mayor Fernando Haddad of the Workers Party were ready to win October’s presidential election if former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is barred from running.
Brazil judge overturns Venezuela border closure, opening path for immigrants
A Brazilian federal appeals court judge on Tuesday overturned a ruling barring Venezuelan immigrants fleeing economic and political turmoil from entering the country, the Solicitor General’s office, which had made the appeal, said.
Swiss airline to resume flights two weeks after deadly crash
JU-Air plans to resume flying on Aug. 17, the airline said on Tuesday, two weeks after one of its small vintage planes crashed in the Swiss Alps with the loss of all 20 people aboard.
Israel sees Syrian army growing beyond pre-civil war size
Israel’s defence minister said on Tuesday that Syria was building up its ground forces beyond their pre-civil war size, an assessment that suggests President Bashar al-Assad’s army has recovered from a critical manpower shortage earlier in the war.
Trump says firms doing business in Iran to be barred from U.S. as sanctions hit
Companies doing business with Iran will be barred from the United States, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, as new U.S. sanctions took effect despite pleas from Washington’s allies.
Iraq opposes U.S. sanctions on Iran but will abide by them: PM
Iraq does not agree with U.S. sanctions against Iran but will abide by them to protect its own interests, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Tuesday.
Congo police and opposition supporters clash in Kinshasa
Police in Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital Kinshasa fired teargas at stone-throwing supporters of opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi on Tuesday, as he drove to the electoral commission to file his candidacy for president, witnesses said.
Russia holds funerals of three journalists killed in Central Africa
Three Russian TV journalists killed in Central African Republic last month while investigating the activities of a clandestine firm of Russian private military contractors were laid to rest in Moscow on Tuesday.
