Covid-19: UN General Assembly president tests positive, self-isolating

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 24 (NNN-XINHUA) — Abdulla Shahid, president of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, said that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is self-isolating.    “I have tested positive for COVID19 today. I am isolating at home with mild symptoms,” Shahid tweeted. “I was privileged to…

Weekly COVID-19-related mortality down 9pc worldwide: WHO

GENEVA, Dec 24 (NNN-TASS) — Over 4.1 mln people contracted the coronavirus infection worldwide over the past week, more than 44,000 died, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported.    The number of new infections decreased by 2%, while the number of fatalities declined by 9% compared to the previous seven-day…

Two dead after blast in Indian court building

     NEW DELHI, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two people were killed and two others injured after a powerful explosion ripped through an Indian court building on Thursday, police said.   Footage showed police officers carrying the injured out of the building and asking others to leave the premises after the explosion near…

Covid-19: US announces first recorded Omicron-related death

HOUSTON, Dec 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — An unvaccinated man living in Harris County, Texas, is believed to be the first victim having died from the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the United States, local media reported Monday. “Sad to report the first local fatality from the Omicron variant of COVID-19. A…

4 missing after military helicopter crash on Madagascar coast

ANTANANARIVO, Dec 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — A military helicopter crashed on the coast of Fenerive-Est in Madagascar’s northeast region, with four people missing, including the Secretary of State in charge of National Gendarmerie Serge Gelle, the country’s Ministry of Defense said Tuesday. The incident took place in the afternoon when Gelle…

466 illegal migrants rescued off Libyan coast in past week: IOM

Representative image TRIPOLI, Dec 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that 466 illegal migrants were rescued off the Libyan coast and returned to Libya in the past week.” In the period of Dec 12-18, 466 migrants were rescued/intercepted at sea and returned to Libya,” IOM said.…

US homicides: 16 cities see record cases

WASHINGTON, Dec 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — At least 16 US cities have seen record homicides this year, Fox News has reported. Among these cities, Philadelphia in the Pennsylvania state has logged at least 524 homicides so far this year, breaking the previous record of 500 set in 1990, said the report,…

US: 3 retired generals warn of potential military coup

WASHINGTON, Dec 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — Three retired US military generals have said that they are concerned about “the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election” and the United States should prepare to prevent a potential coup. “We are chilled to our bones at the thought of a coup succeeding next time,”…

Covid-19: UK’s PM Johnson rules out virus curbs over Xmas, despite pressure

 LONDON, Dec 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson defied pressure to tighten coronavirus rules over Christmas to curb surging Omicron cases, but vowed to keep the situation “under constant review”.    The embattled leader, who is reeling from weeks of crises over various scandals and is facing mounting disquiet…

US military extremism: 100 service members engaged in ‘prohibited extremist activity’ – Pentagon

  WASHINGTON, Dec 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — About 100 members of the US military took part in some form of “prohibited extremist activity” over the past year, the Pentagon said as it released new guidelines for service members.    Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin ordered a review in February 2021 of the Defense…