Multiple emergencies declared as floods strike Brazil’s Amazon region

The country’s geological service has said 30.35 metres is plausible this year BRASILIA, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Floodwaters have reached the centre of Manaus, a metropolis in Brazil’s Amazon region, reported news website G1, as the Rio Negro river hit a high of 29.72 metres, sending water through the streets.That’s…

Ethiopia’s Tigray crisis ‘horrific’, says World Health Organization chief

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Head of the World Health Organization GENEVA, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The conflict in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region is “horrific”, the head of the World Health Organization said.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is from Tigray, said many people were dying of hunger and that rape was spreading too.“The…

Covid-19: Tanzania president advised to accept vaccines

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan DA4R ES SALAAM, My 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A special committee formed by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan to evaluate and monitor COVID-19 pandemic has advised the government to procure COVID-19 vaccines.Apart from the use of WHO listed vaccines, the committee came up with 19 recommendations to tackle the further…

Workers strike in Mali paralyses economic activities

oThe strike is being widely observed BAMAKO, May 19 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — The National Workers’ Union of Mali (UNTM) has begun a four-day strike after negotiations with the government over wages, bonuses and allowances failed.A UNTM official says “the strike is being widely observed and the country is literally paralysed”.The strike…

Covid-19: US winning war on coronavirus as cases, deaths decrease – White House

WASHINGTON, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States is seeing signs of victory in the “war” against the novel coronavirus, with a significant decrease in cases and deaths in all 50 states, officials from the White House COVID-19 Response Team said. “For the first time since the pandemic began, COVID-19…

EU’s trade in goods returns to near pre-pandemic levels

BRUSSELS, May 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — The trade in goods between the European Union (EU) and the rest of the world saw a surge in March 2021, and the first quarter (Q1) showed signs of recovery to pre-pandemic levels, according to Eurostat, the EU’s statistical service. A Eurostat release on Tuesday…

UN commends Zimbabwe for achieving global target on HIV/AIDS treatment

HARARE, May 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United Nations’ AIDS agency has congratulated Zimbabwe for having achieved the 90-90-90 flagship treatment target by the year 2020, Zimbabwe’s Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said. “This means that 90 percent of the HIV-infected persons know their status; 90 percent of HIV-infected persons are on…

Mexico apologizes to Chinese community for wrongs committed during revolution

 Revolutionary forces in Torreón in 1911 during the Chinese massacre MEXICO CITY, May 19 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Mexican government has apologized to the Chinese community for injustices and wrongdoings committed during the upheaval of the Mexican Revolution in early 20th century. During a solemn ceremony titled “Appeal for forgiveness for…

UN hails Israel decision to open crossing for aid into Gaza

GENEVA, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations welcomed an Israeli decision to open the Kerem Shalom crossing to allow aid into Gaza, and urged the opening of a second location to let in humanitarian workers. Humanitarian aid is urgently needed in the Gaza Strip after over a week of…

Covid-19: EU hits 200-million-jab milestone

BRUSSELS, May 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 200 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been given in the European Union as of Tuesday, according to member states’ health services. The milestone indicates that the EU should be on track to meet its goal of fully vaccinating 70 percent of adults…