“Emergency state” announced in Israeli city amid Arab-Jewish clashes

JERUSALEM, May 12 (NNN-Xinhua) — A state of emergency was announced on Tuesday night in a central Israeli city and Border Police forces were sent there as Arabs and Jews have been clashing in fresh street violence, Israeli authorities said. The rare move followed an emergency consultation with senior security…

Tension between Israel, Gaza militants threatens to further escalate as death toll mounts

Photo taken on May 11 shows explosions following Israeli air strikes in Gaza City. GAZA, May 12 (NNN-Xinhua) — The tit-for-tat trade of fire between militant groups in the Gaza Strip and Israel has been mounting on Tuesday, leaving 28 Palestinians and three Israelis killed and dozens of others wounded…

Covid-19: Amid protests, Colombian cities brace for more infections

BOGOTA, May 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Colombia’s three largest cities are bracing for an extended third peak in coronavirus cases and over-stretched intensive care units after nearly two weeks of antigovernmental protests, local authorities said.Demonstrations fueled by outrage at a now-cancelled tax plan began on April 28. Protesters’ demands have expanded…

Some 155 million people suffer from hunger in 2020 – UN

Antonio Guterres, United Nations (UN) Secretary General UNITED NATIONS, May 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 155 million people faced crisis levels of food insecurity in 2020 because of conflict, extreme weather events and economic shocks linked in part to COVID-19, an UN-partnered flagship report said on Wednesday.It’s been five years since…

Philippines declares state of calamity over African Swine Fever

Rodrigo Duterte, Philippine President MANILA, May 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a one-year nationwide state of calamity due to an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), which has resulted in more than 2 billion dollars in industry losses, the government announced Tuesday.In a proclamation signed on…

Nigeria: Police kill three kidnappers, rescue seven victims in Edo

ABUJA, May 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigeria’s Police Command in Edo has confirmed the death of three kidnappers and the rescue of seven other victims in the state.The command said a combined tactical team from the Nigerian Police Force, Edo state command, and vigilante rescued the victims who were kidnapped along…

Strait of Hormuz: US fires warning shots at Iranian boats in Gulf

The US Navy vessels were escorting USS Georgia, a guided-missile submarine, as it transited the Strait of Hormuz  WASHINGTON, May 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) —A US Coast Guard ship fired warning shots at Iranian boats that came close to American naval vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the Pentagon says. The Pentagon said 13…

French soldiers warn of civil war in new open letter

 PARIS, May 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) —A new open letter has been published in France warning of the threat of civil war and claiming to have more than 130,000 signatures from the public. The message, published in a right-wing magazine, accuses the French government of granting “concessions” to Islamism. “It is about the survival…

Covid-19: Pfizer vaccine authorised by US FDA for adolescents

The Pfizer jab was already being given to people as young as 16 in the US  WASHINGTON, May 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The US has authorised the Pfizer vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds amid a push to get the shot into more Americans’ arms. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it was “a…

Covid-19: Hong Kong scraps mandatory vaccines for foreign domestic workers

HONG KONG, May 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hong Kong scrapped a plan to make coronavirus vaccines mandatory for foreign domestic workers after the proposal sparked an outcry and a diplomatic tussle with the Philippines. Health officials planned to roll out mandatory inoculations for the 370,000 domestic workers in the city, mostly…