China, Russia block US push for UN sanctions on North Koreans: diplomats

 UNITED NATIONS, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — China and Russia on Thursday blocked a US push to impose United Nations sanctions on five North Koreans in response to recent missile launches by Pyongyang.   China’s block came before a new closed-door Security Council meeting on North Korea, also requested by Washington, and…

Covid-19: Cases ‘drop significantly’ in Africa – WHO

 BRAZZAVILLE, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Cases of Covid have plummeted in Africa and deaths are declining for the first time since the Omicron-dominated fourth wave of the virus reached its peak, the WHO said.   Describing the 56-day flareup as Africa’s “shortest upsurge yet,” the World Health Organization’s African regional office…

US extends protection of Venezuelan oil unit Citgo

 WASHINGTON, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Treasury extended by one year a rule that shields Citgo, a US-based unit of Venezuela’s state-owned oil company PDVSA, from being seized by creditors, the department said.   The Houston-based company has been controlled by parties opposed to the government of President Nicolas…

EU re-establishing ‘minimal presence’ in Kabul

 BRUSSELS, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The European Union announced it had begun re-establishing a “minimal presence” in Kabul to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan.   “Our minimal presence in Kabul must not in any way be seen as recognition” of the Taliban government there,” EU foreign affairs…

Covid-19: Austria parliament approves mandatory Covid vaccination

 VIENNA, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Austria’s parliament approved making Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory for adults from next month, becoming the first European country to do so despite a wave of protests opposing the measure.   Tens of thousands have demonstrated against mandatory vaccination in regular weekend rallies since the measure was announced…

French rail giant Alstom to hire 7,500 worldwide

 PARIS, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French rail giant Alstom announced Friday it plans to hire 7,500 people worldwide this year to meet rising demand and record orders totalling 77.8 billion euros at the end of last year.   The firm hopes to hire 6,000 engineers and managers as well as…

Beijing Winter Olympics: UN urges countries to honor ‘Olympic Truce’

 UNITED NATIONS, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations General Assembly president on Thursday urged countries worldwide and all warring parties to respect the traditional “Olympic Truce” during February’s Beijing Games, which several major global powers will diplomatically boycott.   “I solemnly appeal to all Member States to demonstrate their…

Covid-19: Brazil approves Sinovac’s Coronavac for those aged 6 to 17

Angela Kawamoto dos Santos and her children Yasmin and Yuri pose for a photo after they received a dose of Sinovac Biotech’s Coronavac vaccine BRASILIA, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazilian health regulator Anvisa approved the emergency use of Sinovac Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine Coronavac on those without underlying health risks aged…

US charges second man in Haitian president’s murder

MIAMI, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Justice Department charged a Haitian-Chilean man Thursday with conspiracy to commit murder for his role in the assassination of Haitian president Jovenel Moise last July. The charges were unveiled in federal court in Miami against Rodolphe Jaar, 49, after he was arrested in the…

Covid-19: US airliner turns back mid-flight due to passenger defying mask rule

WASHINGTON, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An American Airlines jetliner headed from Miami to London turned around in mid-flight on Thursday because a passenger refused to wear a COVID-19 mask, the airline said. “American Airlines flight 38 with service from Miami to London returned to MIA due to a disruptive customer…