UN voices ‘concern’ that US tapping its communications

UNITED NATIONS, April 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations has formally expressed its “concern” to the United States after press reports revealed surveillance of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s communications, his spokesman said, denouncing actions “inconsistent with (US) obligations”. “The UN officially expressed … its concern regarding recent reports that the communications…

Indonesia: Russian tourist deported from Bali over nude photo on sacred tree

Russian tourist Luiza Kosykh says she did not know that the tree was sacred JAKARTA, April 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Russian woman who posted a nude photo of herself in front of a sacred tree has been deported from Bali, an official said, the latest incident involving indelicate tourist acts…

WHO warns COVID-19 pandemic still volatile

GENEVA, April 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization (WHO) warned the COVID-19 pandemic was still volatile, saying there could be further trouble before the virus settles into a predictable pattern. In the last 28 days, more than 23,000 deaths and three million new cases have been reported to the…

Qatar, UAE to reopen embassies ‘in coming weeks’: Doha

DOHA/DUBAI, April 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are working to reopen their long-closed embassies “in the coming weeks”, an official said, as a wave of rapprochement sweeps the turbulent Middle East region. The two countries re-established relations in January 2021, after the UAE took part in a nearly four-year Gulf…

Saudi top diplomat heads to Syria for first visit since civil war

DAMASCUS, April 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat is due to arrive in Damascus Tuesday on the first visit by a Saudi official since the start of Syria’s civil war, Syria’s information ministry said. “Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan is arriving at Damascus international airport today on…

Toxic alcohol kills at least 27 in ‘dry’ Indian state

PATNA (India), April 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Toxic hooch has killed at least 27 people in the eastern Indian state of Bihar where alcohol is banned, officials said Tuesday, with unconfirmed reports putting the death toll at 40. Selling and consuming liquor is prohibited in several parts of India, driving a…

Uruguay reports fresh bird flu outbreak

MONTEVIDEO, April 18 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Nicolás Chiesa, director-general of Farming at the Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry (MGAP), confirmed fresh outbreak of bird flu was in Uruguay.     The fresh outbreak was reported in backyard poultry in the town of Juan Soler, department of San José, north of Uruguay´s capital.…

BINUH chief in Haiti meets with Prime Minister Ariel Henry

Port-au-Prince, Apr 18 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — The Special Representative for Haiti and Head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) Maria Isabel Salvador met with Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry to debate on the country´s present situation.     Isabel Salvador stressed she will engage with all the nation’s forces to…

Presidents Petro and Biden to meet on peace and migration

BOGOTA, April 18 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Colombia President Gustavo Petro will meet with his US counterpart, Joe Biden, on Thursday to address issues such as peace and migration.     Before leaving for the US, Petro told reporters about his expectations for the meeting, especially on peace in his country and the…

Israeli police say two wounded after suspected terror attack in East Jerusalem

Israeli security force members search and patrol the area following a shooting incident in East Jerusalem JERUSALEM, April 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A suspected shooting attack by a Palestinian gunman in Jerusalem on Tuesday left two Israeli men wounded, police said.   It was the latest in a year-long cycle of violence…