Portugal: Ship carrying Porsches and Bentleys catches fire in the Atlantic Ocean

The Felicity Ace on fire LISBON, Feb 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A ship carrying around 4,000 vehicles, including Porsches, Audis and Bentleys, that caught fire near the coast of the Azores will be towed to another European country or the Bahamas, the captain of the nearest port said on Friday. Lithium-ion…

Covid-19: Six African countries to get own mRNA jab production

GENEVA, Feb 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Six African countries have been chosen to establish their own mRNA vaccine production, the World Health Organization said Friday, with the continent largely shut out of access to Covid jabs.    Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia were selected as the first recipients…

US racism: Police officers in Texas indicted over excessive force in 2020 George Floyd protests

HOUSTON, Feb 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — A grand jury in Austin, Texas, had indicted multiple police officers for using excessive force during racial justice protests in 2020, local authorities said. Speaking at a press conference, Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza said that “multiple indictments will be forthcoming in the days…

Covid-19: Africa’s cases surpass 11 mln

ADDIS ABABA, Feb 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — Africa has reported 11,077,105 COVID-19 cases as of Thursday evening, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The specialized healthcare agency of the African Union said the COVID-19 death toll across the continent stands at 245,451, and total recoveries…

Russia says withdrawing military forces from near Ukraine

 MOSCOW, Feb 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia said Friday it had begun withdrawing more tanks and other armoured vehicles from areas near Ukraine’s border after running war games that had raised concerns in the West.   “Another military train carrying personnel and military equipment belonging to tank army units of the…

Canada: No more searching for survivors from Spanish fishing trawler

HALIFAX (Canada), Feb 18 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Canada’s naval authorities have stopped searching for survivors of the Spanish fishing trawler “Villa de Pitanxo” which sank abruptly off Newfoundland Tuesday, it was announced. Only three people out of a crew of 24 have survived the Spanish vessel’s sinking in the early hours…

Argentina plans to set up state-run National Food Company to regulate domestic prices

BUENOS AIRES, Feb 18 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The Government of Argentina is planning to create a National Food Company as a measure to curb inflation, keep prices under control and help small and medium producers, Presidential Spokeswoman Gabriela Cerruti said. “Inflation is a damage to the Argentine table and the Government…

Presidents Bolsonaro, Putin discuss strengthening Brazil-Russia bilateral trade and cooperation

MOSCOW, Feb 18 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro and his Russian colleague Vladimir Putin underlined the future importance of the BRICS partnership (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and called for a more fluent dialogue between the Mercosur and the Eurasian Economic union (EAEU), according to a joint…

US challenges Russia to step back from Ukraine attack

WASHINGTON/MOSCOW/KIEV, Feb 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States said that Russia is on the verge of unleashing a massive military attack against Ukraine, dismissing Moscow’s claim to be pulling forces back, as artillery fire hit a Ukrainian kindergarten.   In a dramatic, previously unscheduled speech to the United Nations in New…

Fire breaks out on cruise ship in Ionian Sea; no casualties so far

ATHENS, Feb 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A fire broke out Friday on an Italian-flagged cruise ship sailing through the Mediterranean’s Ionian Sea with 237 passengers and 51 crew on board, according to Greek port police.   Police said three tug boats and three patrol boats had been sent to help passengers…