Remainder of partially collapsed Florida condo to be demolished as death toll rises to 24

SURFSIDE (Florida, US), July 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — The remainder of the condominium in Surfside, Florida, that partially collapsed last week will be demolished as soon as Sunday, a local fire official said the death toll from the disaster rose to 24. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Raide Jadallah told…

43 missing after migrant boat sinks off Tunisia: Red Crescent

TUNIS, July 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 43 people were missing off the southeastern coast of Tunisia after a boat carrying more than 120 migrants sank, the Tunisian Red Crescent said on Saturday. “Eighty-four migrants were rescued and 43 others disappeared after a boat carrying 127 migrants sank off the…

Covid-19: World battles Delta variant

PARIS, July 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Countries around the world are rushing to contain the rapid spread of the highly contagious Delta variant as the variant has propelled a resurgence of the virus which has already killed nearly four million people. The highly contagious variant are forcing numerous nations to reimpose…

Covid-19: Germany recommends vaccine mix for better protection

   BERLIN, July 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Germany’s vaccine committee has recommended that everyone who received an AstraZeneca first dose switch to BioNTech-Pfizer or Moderna jabs for better protection against the coronavirus, including against the Delta variant.    Studies show that the immune response is “clearly superior” when an AstraZeneca shot…

Six die in crash of private plane in Haiti: officials

PORT-AU-PRINCE, July 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Six people, including two Americans missionaries, were killed when a private airplane crashed south of Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince, local authorities said. The aircraft had taken off from the city’s airport at 6:57 pm (2257 GMT) on Friday and should have arrived at Jacmel, on Haiti’s southern…

Canadian military on alert as number of wildfires jumped to more than 170

OTTAWA, July 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Canadian military was on standby to help evacuate towns as the number of wildfires jumped to more than 170 fueled by a record-smashing heat wave and tinder-dry conditions. At least 177 fires were active in the western province of British Columbia, 76 of them sparked…

Somali gov’t condemns suicide bombing attack in capital

MOGADISHU, July 3 (NNN-Xinhua) — Somalia’s government on Saturday condemned the suicide bombing attack in Mogadishu on Friday evening that left 10 people dead and dozens injured. “The horrific and callous attack by al-Shabaab terrorists shows they targeting innocent people which makes it our duty to co-operate together to fight…

Covid-19: Russia reports record deaths for fifth straight day

Moscow, the biggest virus hotspot nationwide, recorded 116 deaths MOSCOW, July 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia on Saturday reported 697 Covid-19 deaths in the previous 24 hours, the fifth straight day the country has set a new record as it battles the surging Delta variant. It also recorded 24,439 new coronavirus…

US hits 22 senior Myanmar officials, including 4 ministers, with new sanctions

WASHINGTON, July 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Biden administration on Friday hit 22 senior Myanmar officials and family members with sanctions over the government’s crackdown on democracy protests after the coup.  Treasury announced the move against seven members of the Myanmar military and 15 spouses and adult children of previously sanctioned…

Cuba makes preparations as Hurricane Elsa approaches

HAVANA, July 3 (NNN-Xinhua) — Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Friday urged local authorities and the public to make preparations as Hurricane Elsa nears the Caribbean nation. “Tropical storm Elsa is approaching Cuba. We have given instructions to territories for them to put into practice their plans against disasters, with…