Covid-19: Sputnik V developers file libel suit against Brazil’s Anvisa for “false and inaccurate” rejection

BRASILIA, May 1 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The Russian manufacturers of the Sputnik V vaccine have filed a libel lawsuit in Brazil against the country’s National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) for “intentionally spreading false and inaccurate information” about the covid-19 inoculator after prohibiting its import, citing lack of data, the immunizer’s Twitter…

Chile: Case against Pres Piñera brought before The ICC for alleged human rights violations in 2019

SANTIAGO, May 1 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Chilean and human rights organizations together with former Spanish judge Baltasar Garzón filed an accusation before the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague against President Sebastián Piñera for his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity during the 2019 protests, it was reported. ”Garzón, the…

Covid-19: Pres Biden bans most travel to US from India to limit virus spread

US President Joe Biden WASHINGTON, May 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Joe Biden imposed new travel restrictions on India in light of the COVID-19 epidemic, barring most non-US citizens from entering the United States. The new restrictions, which take effect at 12:01am ET (0401 GMT) on May 4 , are on…

Afghan retreat: US formally begins withdrawing from its longest war

WASHINGTON/KABUL, May 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States formally begins withdrawing its last troops from Afghanistan Saturday, bringing its longest war nearer to an end but also heralding an uncertain future for a country in the tightening grip of an emboldened Taliban. US officials on the ground say the withdrawal…

Colombia president axes tax plan after angry protests

BOGOTA, May 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Colombian President Ivan Duque caved in to widespread anger and said he would overhaul a proposed tax reform that many said would leave them poorer during the pandemic. Duque announced he was shelving clauses that would lower the income tax threshold to broaden the tax…

Covid-19: Over 62 mln cases reported in the Americas in last 15 months – WHO

GENEVA, May 1 (NNN-Xinhua) — More than 62 million COVID-19 cases and over 1.5 million deaths have been reported in the region of the Americas, combining North, South and Central America, in the last 15 months, a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) said. “At this moment, most of…

Russia imposes entry ban on 8 EU officials

MOSCOW, May 1(NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia has placed entry bans on eight officials from EU states, including European Parliament President David Sassoli and European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said. “The European Union continues its policy of unilateral illegitimate restrictive measures targeting Russian citizens and organizations,” the ministry said…

Covid-19: US CDC estimates 1 in 3 Americans infected

WASHINGTON, May 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 35% of all Americans have been infected with COVID-19 over the last year. From February 2020 to March 2021, the CDC estimates 114.6 million Americans were infected with COVID-19, 97.1 million had symptomatic illnesses and 5.6 million were…

German foreign minister assures Afghanistan of support after troops leave

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas KABUL, May 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has assured Afghanistan during a visit to Kabul of continued support after the withdrawal of NATO troops.“Germany remains a reliable partner on the side of the people in Afghanistan,” Maas said after his arrival on…

New round of UN-mediated Cyprus talks fail to make breakthrough

Cyprus was a British colony until 1960 GENEVA, May 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A new round of UN-mediated talks to find a lasting solution to the decades-old dispute over the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus have failed like so many others before it.Informal meetings that began on Tuesday were ended on…