Chile declares state of emergency in north due to migratory crisis

SANTIAGO, Feb 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — Chilean President Sebastian Pinera declared a constitutional state of emergency in four northern provinces, granting special powers to the Armed Forces to control irregular migration along the border. The measure, which will last 15 days with the possibility of a two-week renewal, includes the deployment…

Death toll from Brazil landslides, floods climbs to 78

RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — The death toll from landslides and floods in the Brazilian city of Petropolis in Rio de Janeiro state rose to 78, including six children, local authorities said Wednesday. “It was the worst rain since 1932, with 240 mm in just over two hours,”…

Morocco, Germany agree to overcome “misunderstandings” in bilateral ties

RABAT, Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Morocco and Germany agreed to overcome “misunderstandings” and renew “close amicable relations” after a year-long diplomatic freeze, including over the issue of the disputed Western Sahara. The announcement followed a video conference between Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock on…

France warns Iran only days left to agree nuclear deal

VIENNA, Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Iran has just days left to accept a deal on its nuclear programme at talks in Vienna, France warned, while Tehran’s chief negotiator promised that an agreement was closer than ever.   “It is not a question of weeks, it is a question of days,”…

Covid-19: Police issue ultimatum to vaccine mandate protesters to leave Canada capital

OTTAWA, Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Canadian police issued an ultimatum to protesters who’ve been choking Ottawa streets for 20 days to leave the capital, as provincial and US state leaders called for an end to the cross-border vaccine requirement that sparked the trucker-led movement.   Officials, meanwhile, announced a negotiated…

US: Mississippi prison inmate captured after car running out of gas during escape – Officials

Michael Floyd Wilson escaped from the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility JACKSON (Mississippi, US), Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A convicted murderer who escaped from a Mississippi prison on Saturday was captured three days later after he ran out of gas, according to prison officials.Michael Wilson was captured by the Harrison County…

Covid-19: Luxembourg approves extensive relaxation of measures

A curfew on bars and restaurants is due to be lifted LUXEMBOURG, Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Measures set up in Luxembourg during the last two years to control the spread of the coronavirus are set to be relaxed extensively following a decision by the country’s legislature.Unvaccinated people will be once…

Covid-19: France won’t punish those with fake covid pass if they get vaccinated

French Pres Emmanuel Macron PARIS, Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France will not punish people caught with a fake Covid certificate – the document used to show someone’s vaccination status, if they decide to get jabbed after all, according to a new instruction issued to health authorities.A procedure has also been…

Italy: Mafia boss brought back after 20 years on the run

Head of the Sicilian Mafia, Stidda was arrested in Spain in December 2021 ROME, Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Investigators have brought one of the most wanted Mafia bosses in Italy back to the country, almost 20 years after his escape from prison.The head of the Sicilian Mafia, Stidda, landed at…

Bulgaria, North Macedonia re-establish March direct flight after 13 years

Combination photo of Bulgarian and North Macedonian flags SOFIA/SKOPJE, Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Bulgaria and North Macedonia re-established a flight connection, with the intention of advancing ties between the two Balkan countries.A first plane of the Bulgarian airline GullivAir, flew from Sofia to Skopje last Friday with the transport ministers…