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…

US: Texas police in synagogue hostage standoff

COLLEYVILLE (Texas, US), Jan 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hostage negotiators were locked in a tense standoff Saturday at a Texas synagogue where a man apparently demanding the release of a convicted terrorist had taken several captives, police and media said.    Over eight hours into the crisis, police in Colleyville, Texas…

Covid-19: Thousands protest in Vienna against mandatory vaccination

People protested against government plans to introduce mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations for all next month VIENNA, Jan 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of people took to the streets of Austria’s capital on Saturday to protest against government plans to introduce mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all next month. “The government must go!” crowds…

US: Woman killed after being pushed in front of train in New York City

NEW YORK, Jan 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A woman was pushed to her death in front of a subway train at the Times Square station on Saturday, police said, a little more than a week after the mayor and governor announced plans to boost subway policing and outreach to homeless people…