US: Texas to shut down points of entry amid soaring migration

Thousands of immigrants are awaiting detention underneath the Del Rio International Bridge HOUSTON, Sept 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — The south central US state of Texas is to shut down six points of entry along the US-Mexico border amid a massive surge of migration, Governor Greg Abbott announced. “I have directed the…

‘No journalist should die’: EU calls for better media safety

23 journalists have been killed in the EU since 1992, with the majority of the killings taking place during the past six years BRUSSELS, Sept 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The European Union’s executive arm asked its member countries to better protect journalists amid a rise of physical attacks and online threats…

Lagos, Durban, Jo’burg to host the inaugural Africa Travel and Tourism Summit

Two South African cities and Nigeria’s Lagos will host the upcoming summit JOHANNESBURG, Sept 17 (NNN-GNA) — Three cities – Johannesburg, Durban and Lagos – have been confirmed as host cities for the inaugural Africa’s Travel and Tourism Summit, scheduled to take place from Sept 19 to 21.The Sandton Convention…

Covid-19: Africa jab shortfall could take world ‘back to square one’ – WHO

   BRAZZAVILLE, Sept 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Africa faces a 470 million shortfall in Covid-19 vaccine doses this year after the Covax alliance cut its projected shipments, raising the risk of new and deadly variants, the WHO said on Thursday.   Only 17 percent of the continent’s population will now be…

Brazil’s Pres Bolsonaro going to UN meet despite being unvaccinated

    BRASILIA, Sept 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazil’s Covid-unvaccinated President Jair Bolsonaro said Thursday he will attend next week’s United Nations conclave in New York, effectively defying city authorities who recently announced proof-of-vaccination requirements for all attending leaders and diplomats.      “Next week I will be at the UN General Assembly…

Argentina’s VP Kirchner challenges president over resignations

  BUENOS AIRES, Sept 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Argentina’s Vice President Cristina Kirchner directly challenged her boss, President Alberto Fernandez on Thursday, demanding a cabinet reshuffle and blaming the ruling coalition’s recent electoral defeat on his economic policies.    In a deepening political crisis, Kirchner wrote an open letter to Fernandez…

Covid-19: US medical experts to vote on Pfizer boosters

WASHINGTON, Sept 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US medical experts will meet Friday to debate and vote on the controversial question of giving out booster doses of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine to the general population.    President Joe Biden’s administration announced in August a plan to roll out third shots to everyone, not…

Venezuela, Bolivia rejects US accusation against anti-drug policy

CARACAS/LA PAZ, Sept 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Venezuela and Bolivia on Thursday rejected US President Joe Biden’s claims the prior day that the countries had failed to meet counternarcotics obligations. In a statement, the Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Ministry described as “unlawful and illegitimate” the US practice of “seeking to establish itself…

Tunisian president orders to open borders with Libya

TUNIS, Sept 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tunisia and Libya are to reopen their shared border on Friday, the presidency in Tunis said, two months after they were closed as the country’s coronavirus caseload soared. “The president of (Tunisia) issued orders to reopen border crossings with the state of Libya from Friday”…

Covid-19: EU endorses Malta’s pandemic recovery plan

Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela welcomes visiting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Valletta VALLETTA, Sept 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen endorsed Malta’s recovery and resilience plan, which will see the European Union (EU) disbursing 316.4 million euros (372 million U.S. dollars) in…