US racism: Panel recommends removal of pro-slavery Confederate statue near capital

WASHINGTON, Sept 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An independent commission in the United States is recommending the removal of a controversial statue honoring the pro-slavery American South, an official said, as the country continues reexamining its painful racial past. The move is part of the commission’s final report to Congress, after it…

Cuba and Timor-Leste to strengthen medical cooperation

HAVANA, Sept 15 (NNN-Prensa Latina) — Cuba and Timor-Leste on Wednesday renewed a medical treaty to increase health and education collaboration. The official documents were signed in Havana by José Angel Portal Miranda, Public Health Minister; Yamila de Armas Águila, President of the Medical Services Commercialization Company; and Odete Maria…

Cuba willing to talk with U.S. to foster relations

WASHINGTON, Sept 15 (NNN-Prensa Latina) — Cuba is more than willing to sit down and open dialogue with the United States to promote mutually beneficial relations, Cuban Ambassador Pedro Luis Pedroso said during a conference. In a meeting with students of the Quinnipiac University School of Business, in the state…

‘Don’t drown’ the world: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres makes urgent climate appeal

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday made an urgent appeal to world leaders to act on climate change and “lower the temperature” so as not to “drown” the world, after visiting flood-hit Pakistan. “I have just returned from Pakistan, where I looked through a…

US to send $756 mn in additional aid to Syria

WASHINGTON, Sept 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US State Department announced it was sending $756 million in new humanitarian aid to Syria, where need remains “dire” after more than a decade of war. The funds, which are in addition to a tranche of $808 million announced earlier this year, will go…

US intercity passenger train carrier cancels all long-distance trains ahead of potential freight railway strike

WASHINGTON, Sept 15 (NNN-Xinhua) — Amtrak, the most important passenger railroad service in the United States, announced it has canceled all of its long-distance routes starting Thursday in response to a potential nationwide freight railroad workers’ strike. While Amtrak workers are not involved in the labor dispute between freight railroad…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Chance for peace ‘minimal,’ UN chief says after Putin call

 UNITED NATIONS, Sept 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The prospects for peace in Ukraine are “minimal” at present, the United Nations chief lamented after a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he and Putin on Wednesday discussed efforts to overcome “obstacles” that remain related to Russia’s food…

Bahamas PM open to monarchy-ending referendum

NASSAU, Sept 15 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis insisted upon signing the book of condolences over Queen Elizabeth II’s death that the alternative to call a referendum for the people to decide whether or not to admit Charles III as the new sovereign was open. Davis said that…

Monkeypox cases in Argentina go up 30%

BUENOS AIRES, Sept 15 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Argentine health authorities have confirmed the country has recorded a total of 221 cases of monkeypox, a 30% increase from the previous week. The Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and the provinces of Buenos Aires and Córdoba account for 96.4% of infections. The National…

UNHCHR issues statement against Nicaragua’s regime

GENEVA/MANAGUA, Sept 15 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has exposed in a document released Tuesday Nicaragua’s disregard for civil liberties nationwide. While the statement was endorsed in full by most countries, Argentina refused to adhere to the part where concrete actions from…