Russia-Ukraine conflict: Russian soldier pleads guilty in first war crimes trial of Ukraine conflict

Vadim Shishimarin is a Russian soldierVadim Shishimarin KYIV, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A 21-year-old Russian soldier has pleaded guilty to killing an unarmed civilian, in the first war crimes trial in Ukraine since the war started.Vadim Shishimarin admitted shooting a 62-year-old man a few days after the invasion began. He…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Russia to close Moscow offices of Canadian broadcaster

MOSCOW/OTTAWA, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia said it was closing the Moscow offices of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in retaliation for Ottawa’s banning of Russian state media outlet RT. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau slammed the decision, saying “responsible journalism, sharing what’s actually going on with citizens, is a deep threat…

Brazil’s Lula ties the knot months before presidential election

Brazilian former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva marries Rosangela da Silva in Sao Paulo, Brazil SAO PAULO, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the front-runner in Brazil’s October presidential elections, took a break from campaigning Wednesday to marry his fiancee and fellow Workers’ Party member, sociologist…

Togo ‘terrorist’ attack also left 15 assailants dead: Security Minister

LOME, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Around 15 assailants were killed during a “terrorist” attack last week in the north of Togo that also left eight soldiers dead, a minister said. Togo’s troops are deployed in the north of the country to try and contain a jihadist threat pushing south from…

US wildfires: Crews slow New Mexico fires, brace for dangerous conditions

ALBUQUERQUE (New Mexico), May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 2,000 firefighters battling the largest US wildfire dug back-up fire lines and rearranged fire engines around homes in north-east New Mexico in anticipation of a return to windy, dangerous conditions in the days ahead. After a break in the weather allowed for…

Surging food prices fuel protests across developing world

A protest in Lima, Peru PARIS, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The war in Ukraine and drought fuelled by climate change has sent global prices for grains, cooking oils, fuel and fertiliser soaring. Rising prices for basic food staples is fuelling protests from Indonesia to Iran. European wheat prices have jumped…

Pollution behind 1 in 6 global deaths in 2019: Study

PARIS, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pollution caused about 9 million people to die prematurely in 2019, according to a new global report, with experts raising alarm over increasing deaths from breathing outside air and the “horrifying” toll of lead poisoning. Human-created waste in the air, water and soil rarely kills…

US lodges third labour complaint in Mexico, on behalf of Panasonic workers

MEXICO CITY, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US labour officials asked Mexico to probe whether workers at a Panasonic auto parts factory were denied their rights, marking the third US labour complaint under a new trade deal that aims to improve workplace conditions in Mexico. The request from the US Trade Representative (USTR) follows…

Covid-19: US to study whether longer Paxlovid course needed to combat reinfections

WASHINGTON, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US National Institutes of Health is in talks with Pfizer about studying whether a longer course of the drugmaker’s COVID-19 antiviral treatment Paxlovid is needed to prevent reinfections, top US infectious diseases expert Dr Anthony Fauci said. “We’re going to be planning what studies we’re going to…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: UN urges Ukraine grain release, World Bank pledges extra US$12 billion

UNITED NATIONS, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN warned that a growing global food crisis could last years if it goes unchecked, as the World Bank announced an additional US$12 billion in funding to mitigate its “devastating effects”. Food insecurity is soaring due to warming temperatures, the coronavirus pandemic and Russia’s…