South Africa: Cholera death toll rises to 17 in Hammanskraal

PRETORIA, May 25 (NNN-SANEWS) — South Africa’s Gauteng Department of Health says the number of people, who have lost their lives following a cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, now stands at 17. As of Tuesday, the provincial department said 165 patients have been seen at Jubilee District Hospital,…

South Africa congratulates Cuba for 60 years of medical support

PRETORIA, May 25 (NNN-SANEWS) — South Africa’s Health Ministry has congratulated Cubans on their 60th anniversary of international medical support and cooperation to save lives through dedicated medical brigades around the world. South Africa is amongst over 100 nations that benefitted from social solidarity, excellent internationalism and medical cooperation with…

UN chief calls for ‘immediate’ funding for Horn of Africa

UNITED NATIONS, May 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UN chief Antonio Guterres called on nations to ramp up funding to the Horn of Africa, which is suffering its worst drought in generations. The United Nations says that more than 43 million people across Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya are in urgent need of…

Pupil started deadly Guyana dorm fire over confiscated phone: police report

GEORGETOWN, May 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The weekend school dormitory blaze that killed 19 girls in central Guyana was started by a disgruntled pupil angry at having her mobile phone confiscated, a government source said. An official police report confirmed that “a female student is suspected of having set the devastating…

Brazil declares bird flu emergency

BRASILIA, May 24 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Brazilian authorities have decreed a nationwide animal health emergency, it was published Tuesday in an extra issue of the Diário Oficial da União (Official Gazette), Agencia Brasil reported. Agriculture and Livestock Minister Carlos Favaro signed the ordinance dated May 22 which will be effective for…

Mexico keeps close watch on ash-spewing volcano

SANTIAGO XALITZINTLA (Mexico), May 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A volcano southeast of the Mexican capital spewed more gas and ash into the sky on Tuesday as authorities maintained their warning level at one step below red alert. Dozens of shelters have been opened near Popocatepetl — located around 70 kilometers from…

Families of Tunisia detainees go to Africa Human Rights court to seek release

ARUSHA (Tanzania), May 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The families of Tunisian opposition figures detained in a government crackdown filed a case with Africa’s human rights court on Wednesday seeking the immediate release of their loved ones. Since early February, the authorities in the North African country have arrested more than 20…

Mexico: Journalist shot dead in central Puebla region, more than 150 journalists killed since 2000

PUEBLA (Mexico), May 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Mexican journalist who was also a former local official was shot dead Tuesday in the country’s central Puebla region, authorities said. Marco Aurelio Ramirez, 69, was killed in broad daylight as he left his home in the town of Tehuacan. He had worked…

US violence: Driver crashes truck near White House, arrested for trying to kill Pres Biden

 WASHINGTON, May 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A man who crashed a U-Haul truck containing a Nazi flag near the White House has been arrested and charged with trying to kill or harm the president, police said Tuesday. The driver apparently drove deliberately into bollards outside Lafayette Park just before 10 pm…

World ‘failing’ to protect civilians in combat zones, UN chief says

UNITED NATIONS, May 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The world is failing to protect civilians as the number of people caught up in conflicts and their humanitarian aftershocks skyrocketed last year, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Tuesday.    In 2022, the United Nations tallied a 53 percent increase in civilian deaths compared to…