Colombia: 23 dead in clashes between rival rebel groups

BOGOTA, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 23 people — four of them Venezuelans — were killed in fighting between rival rebel groups in Colombia’s border region with Venezuela, top Colombian officials said.   Civilians were “likely” among the casualties from clashes between members of Colombia’s last recognized guerrilla group,…

Covid-19: Infections soar in US Congress amid Omicron surge

WASHINGTON, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Congress is experiencing an unprecedented rise in COVID-19 cases, with the seven-day positivity rate at a congressional test site surging to 13 per cent from just 1 per cent in late November, the Capitol’s attending physician said. Most coronavirus infections on Capitol Hill have…

4,400 migrants lost at sea bound for Spain in 2021, double previous year

Migrants wait to disembark from a Spanish coast guard vessel, in the port of Arguineguin, in the island of Gran Canaria BARCELONA, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 4,400 migrants, including at least 205 children, were lost at sea trying to reach Spain in 2021, a monitoring group said –…

Haitian prime minister survives weekend assassination attempt: PM’s office

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry PORT-AU-PRINCE, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gunmen unsuccessfully attempted to assassinate Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry during an event on Saturday commemorating the Caribbean country’s independence, his office said in a statement. Henry’s office said on Monday that “bandits and terrorists” had tried to shoot the…

Brazil’s President Bolsonaro hospitalised due to intestinal blockage

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro gestures while being hospitalized due to an intestinal blockage in Sao Paulo SAO PAULO, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was rushed to hospital early Monday with abdominal pain that doctors found was caused by a partial intestinal blockage, and is facing potential surgery…

Brazil: Jump in deforestation of world’s most biodiverse savanna alarms scientists

BRASILIA, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Deforestation last year rose to the highest level since 2015 in Brazil’s Cerrado, prompting scientists to raise alarm over the state of the world’s most species-rich savanna, a major carbon sink that helps to stave off climate change. The Cerrado, which is spread across several…

US expands Trump-era border programme to San Diego

SAN DIEGO (California, US), Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States expanded to San Diego, California, the Trump-era border programme that forces asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for US immigration hearings, in keeping with a federal court order, Biden administration officials told reporters. Democratic President Joe Biden attempted to scrap…

Covid-19: US schools delay openings as Omicron rages; New York City hits 33% positivity rate

Children arrive at Bronx Elementary School in the Bronx borough of New York City NEW YORK, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of US schools delayed this week’s scheduled return to classrooms following the holiday break or switched to remote learning as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus pushed COVID-19 cases…

Covid-19: Twitter permanently blocks US Republican lawmaker personal account over false claims

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA WASHINGTON, Jan 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Twitter said it has permanently suspended the personal account of outspoken Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene for violating the platform’s Covid-19 misinformation policy. The lawmaker from Georgia is a loud and fervent supporter of Donald Trump and his false claims…

COVID-19 outbreak ends cruise for thousands on German ship in Lisbon

COVID-19 outbreak ends cruise for thousands on German ship in Lisbon LISBON, Jan 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The German operator of a cruise ship that has been stuck in Lisbon’s port due to an outbreak of the coronavirus among its crew pulled the plug on the voyage on Sunday after some passengers…