‘Everything was buried’: Brazilians recount storm horror as death toll rises to 40; dozens still missing

As per official data, 40 people were killed from the storm while dozens others remain missing SÃO SEBASTIÃO (Brazil), Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ankle-deep in muck, Brazilian domestic worker Patricia da Silva picks her way through the debris and mud of what used to be her home, trying to rescue…

UK summons Iran envoy over ‘threats’ to UK-based Iranian journalists

LONDON, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The British government summoned Iran’s top diplomat in London to condemn “serious threats” to the lives of UK-based journalists after a Persian-language TV network was forced to relocate. Charge d’Affaires Mehdi Hosseini Matin was hauled in “to make clear the UK will not tolerate threats…

APEC to finance digital connectivity in business formalization project proposed by Peru

LIMA, Feb 21 (NNN-ANDINA) — The Secretariat of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has approved the financing for the cooperation project presented by Peru, titled “Study and workshop to understand the role of digital connectivity in the formalization process of informal businesses in the Asia-Pacific region,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported. This…

Finance Minister: Peru has feasible mining investment portfolio worth US$8 billion by 2024

LIMA, Feb 21 (NNN-ANDINA) — Economy and Finance Minister Alex Contreras reported that Peru has a feasible mining investment portfolio that amounts to some US$8 billion, which can be executed during 2023-2024. “Something important that Peru offers is that we have a portfolio of projects which are in different development stages.…

China says ‘never interfered’ in Canadian elections

 MONTREAL, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — China has rejected allegations it interfered in Canada’s federal elections, describing Canadian media reports that cited intelligence documents as “false” and attempts at “smearing” Beijing. A statement from the Chinese consulate general in the western city of Vancouver accused Canadian media of “smearing and discrediting…

Brazil flooding, landslides kill at least 36 with 35 people died in Sao Sebastiao town

 SAO PAULO, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Flooding and landslides triggered by torrential rain in Brazil claimed at least 36 lives on Carnival weekend in southeast Sao Paulo state, authorities said. TV and social media footage from the town of Sao Sebastiao showed entire neighborhoods under water, debris from hillside houses…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: US Pres Biden makes surprise trip to Kyiv before invasion anniversary

 KYIV, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Joe Biden on Monday made a trip to Kyiv organised in strict secrecy, promising $500 million in fresh arms deliveries and “unwavering” American support ahead of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Air raid sirens rang out across the capital at one point…

African Union vows ‘zero tolerance’ to undemocratic change

 ADDIS ABABA, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The African Union insisted it had “zero tolerance” for undemocratic changes of power and vowed to push through a continent-wide free trade deal as it wrapped up a two-day summit. Leaders of the 55-nation bloc met in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to discuss…

US to cull 150 ‘feral cattle’ in protected New Mexico forest

SANTA FE (New Mexico, US), Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US wildlife authorities will shoot and kill around 150 ‘feral’ cows from a helicopter in a New Mexico wilderness area next week as a ‘public safety’ measure, officials said. The ‘not domesticated’ animals are an invasive species that ‘pose a significant…

Kenya becomes first African State to sign AACC Statute

ADDIS ABABA, Feb 19 (NNN-KBC) — Kenya has become the first African State to sign the African Audiovisual and Cinema Commission (AACC) statute. The signing ceremony which took place on the margins of the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, comes hot…