Mine kills 16 civilians in northern Mali

Senegalese soldiers of the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali MINUSMA patrol in the streets of Gao BAMAKO, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sixteen civilians were killed near Gao in northern Mali when their vehicle hit a mine, hospital sources said. Two hospital sources in the north’s largest city confirmed the toll…

Covid-19: Brazil reports 2,403 more deaths; Argentina to go into total lockdown

BRASILIA, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — BRAZIL on Thursday reported 2,403 more deaths from COVID-19, raising the national death toll to 444,094, the Ministry of Health said. A total of 82,039 more infections were detected, raising the nationwide tally to 15,894,094, the ministry said. Brazil has the world’s second highest COVID-19…

Covid-19: US states offer cash incentives for vaccinations

WASHINGTON, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — First launched in Ohio, cash prize incentives to get people vaccinated are taking off in other US states to boost a slowing Covid-19 shot campaign. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced a week ago that five adults who get vaccinated will each win $1 million in…

Nearly 200 activists killed in Colombia in 2020: NGO

BOGOTA, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nearly 200 human rights and labor activists were killed in Colombia in 2020, the worst toll in 11 years, an NGO said as the country battles ongoing violence despite a 2016 peace deal ending decades of civil war. Attacks have increased during the coronavirus pandemic,…

Canadian court rules Iran downing of Ukraine Flight 752 ‘act of terrorism’

OTTAWA, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Canadian court ruled that the shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 was deliberate and an “act of terrorism,” paving the way for possible compensation for victims’ families. The Superior Court of Justice of Ontario found that “on a balance of probabilities” two…

Covid-19: Bolivia battles fake news in inoculation drive, leaving vaccination centres half empty

LA PAZ, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Bolivia’s immunisation drive against COVID-19 is being hit by anti-vaccine misinformation that is stoking scepticism and leaving inoculation centres half empty, a challenge for the government facing a wave of new infections. Health workers and officials have raised concerns about low turnout at some…

African Union urges civilians and soldiers to share power in Chad

Mahamat Idriss Deby, son of late Chadian President Idriss Deby N’DJAMENA, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The African Union called for civilian and military leaders in Chad to share power until elections can be organised following the death of President Idriss Deby and subsequent military takeover last month. While the AU…

Covid-19: Eiffel Tower to reopen July 16

PARIS, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Eiffel Tower will reopen on July 16 after several months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Paris landmark’s operator said. Visitor numbers will be limited to 10,000 a day to meet social distancing requirements, fewer than half of their pre-Covid levels, operator…

US Sec of State Blinken to travel to Middle East ‘in the coming days’

WASHINGTON, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to the Middle East “in the coming days,” the State Department said after Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire halting 11 days of fighting. Blinken spoke with his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi, who “welcomed Secretary Blinken’s…

Covid-19: Uruguay eases down travel restrictions

MONTEVIDEO, May 21 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The Government of Uruguay has decided that foreign travellers with both doses of any vaccine against covid-19 and a negative PCR test will not have to undergo a mandated quarantine upon entry. However, the vaccination plan needs to have been completed at least 15 days…