UN releases “Sport for Peace” stamps to celebrate 2022 Winter Olympic Games

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 16 (NNN-Xinhua) — The UN Postal Administration (UNPA) released the new “Sport for Peace” stamps to celebrate the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The UNPA said in a press release that it is the first time that it has issued stamps for the Olympic Winter Games. The stamps…

US: A week after Bronx fire, families to bury their loved ones

A memorial for the victims of an apartment building fire is displayed in front of the building in the Bronx borough of New York NEW YORK, Jan 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Bronx community gathers on Sunday to pay its final respects to perished loved ones, a week after a fire filled an apartment…

Update: Hostages freed after standoff at Texas synagogue; gunman dead

COLLEYVILLE (Texas, US) Jan 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — All four people who were held hostage at a synagogue in the US state of Texas have been safely released, more than 10 hours after a gunman disrupted a religious service and began a tense standoff with police. Members of the FBI’s Hostage Rescue…

Polar Preet, the first woman of color to walk to the South Pole, begins training for another Antarctic challenge

LONDON, Jan 16 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — A British Army officer who became the first woman of color to complete a solo expedition to the South Pole has been given a hero’s welcome on her return to the UK. Captain Preet Chandi was greeted by loved ones and colleagues at Heathrow after…

Asian countries suspends beef imports from Canada because of atypical case of mad cow

OTTAWA, Jan 16 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Several Asian countries have suspended the import of Canadian beef, following a case of mad cow disease. China, South Korea, and the Philippines have temporarily halted imports of Canadian beef where an “atypical” case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease,…

Covid-19: Uruguayans and foreign residents may return by car even if they are positive

MONTEVIDEO, Jan 16 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) –The Government of Uruguay has announced it would allow foreign residents to return to the country by car even if they are COVID-19 positive. As per the new presidential Decree, aftter reentering the country, these people must follow regulations regarding isolation, either by themselves or with…

Kenyan vigilantes taking on Avocado gangs

NAIROBI, Jan 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya’s avocado sector has become so lucrative that organised criminal gangs have begun to target growers. This is because the fruit from just one tree can pay for the private education of a secondary school student for a whole year – up to $600. With the…

Covid-19: Covax delivers one billionth vaccine dose

GENEVA, Jan 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Covax scheme aimed at equitable global access to Covid-19 vaccines hit a “key milestone” Saturday when it delivered its one billionth dose, one of its key backers said.    The Covax facility was set up in 2020 by the World Health Organization, Gavi the…

Inside a migrant caravan leaving Honduras

  SAN PEDRO SULA (Honduras), Jan 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hundreds of men, women and children gathered early Saturday morning in the parking lot of San Pedro Sula’s main transit hub, on the edge of the northern Honduran city.    Before the sun rose, many had already departed on foot, carrying…

IMF official urges ‘deep reforms’ to Tunisian economy

 TUNIS, Jan 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tunisia’s crisis-stricken economy needs “deep reforms” such as slashing its vast public wage bill, the International Monetary Fund’s outgoing country chief has said as the government seeks a newbailout.    Jerome Vacher, speaking in an interview at the end of his three-year term as the…