M23 rebel retreat a ‘sham’, DR Congo army says

 KINSHASA, Dec 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — DR Congo’s army called an M23 rebel withdrawal from a strategic town near the eastern city of Goma a “sham”, saying the militia is reinforcing its positions elsewhere. The M23 group has conquered swaths of territory in North Kivu province in recent months and advanced to…

S.Africa fuel tanker blast death toll rises to 15: minister

JOHANNESBURG, Dec 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The death toll from a fuel tanker explosion in Boksburg, a South African city east of Johannesburg, has risen to 15, the country’s health minister said. “Saturday, the death toll was at 10 people and now we are sitting at 15 as of Sunday morning,”…

Passport control staff strike at UK airports

LONDON, Dec 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Passengers at UK airports on Friday faced long delays as Border Force officers walked out in the latest of a string of strikes by public sector workers over pay. The action follows stoppages this week by nurses and ambulance workers, angered by the government’s refusal…

Russia says may cut oil output following price cap

MOSCOW, Dec 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Moscow could cut oil production by up to seven percent in early 2023 following an oil price cap agreed by Western countries, a Russian deputy prime minister said Friday. “At the start of next year, we could make a reduction of 500,000-700,000 barrels per day.…

Brazil: Two dead in southern heavy storms, 140 homeless

BRASILIA, Dec 23 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Heavy storms in Santa Catarina have left 2 people dead and at least 140 people homeless, with health and transportation services suspended statewide, it was reported. The most affected regions were the northern coast and Greater Florianópolis. In Camboriú, two cousins, aged 17 and 16,…

Eight deaths reported in Uruguay of streptococcus

MONTEVIDEO, Dec 23 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Uruguayan health officials reported eight people have died of a strong form of streptococcus after cases were detected between Nov 3 and Dec 12 in the South American country.  According to official sources, 21 patients had been hospitalized due to this particularly invasive form of…

Colombia: Adulterated liquor kills at least 37 in Bogota

BOGOTA, Dec 23 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — At least 37 people died between Nov 24 and Dec 20 in Bogota for having consumed adulterated liquor containing methanol. According to local media reports, 7 others are hospitalized in critical condition. In Bogota, the number of intoxications due to the ingestion of low-cost adulterated…

South Africa: Measles cases on the rise

PRETORIA, Dec 23 (NNN-SANEWS) — South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) announced on Friday that measles cases continue to soar across the country. According to the latest data, South Africa has recorded 227 cases of laboratory-confirmed measles cases for specimens collected between Oct 8 and Dec 17 across…

Russia might send up rescue ship for ISS crew

 WASHINGTON, Dec 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia is examining the flight worthiness of a Soyuz crew capsule docked with the ISS that sprang a leak last week, and might need to send up a rescue vessel for stranded crew, officials said. The vehicle, known as MS-22, began spraying its coolant into…

Chile: Two dead, 400 homes damaged in seaside resort town fire

 VIÑA DEL MAR (Chile), Dec 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least two people died and some 400 homes have been damaged or destroyed in a fire that broke out Thursday in the Chilean seaside resort of Vina del Mar, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency. The flames, fanned…