Indonesian capital Jakarta braces for more floods as rainy days expected this week

Volunteers evacuate elderly women with an inflatable boat in an area affected by floods, following heavy rains in Jakarta JAKARTA, Feb 22 (NNN-CNA) — The Indonesian capital of Jakarta could see more flooding and landslides this week as the meteorology agency predicted rains of moderate to heavy intensity to sweep through the…

UN refugee agency calls for rescue of Rohingya stranded in Andaman Sea

The Rohingyas have suffered persecution in Myanmar and many have fled in rickety boats, encountering often perilous journeys DHAKA, Feb (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations refugee agency called for the immediate rescue of a group of Rohingya refugees who were adrift in their boat in the Andaman Sea without food…

Covid-19: French city of Nice asks tourists to stay away amid surge

A man, wearing a protective face mask, rides his scooter in a local market in Nice PARIS, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The mayor of the French city of Nice called for a weekend lockdown in the area to stop the flow of visitors, saying tourists are welcome in normal times,…

Covid-19: Argentina president blasts ‘unforgivable’ vaccine line-jump scandal

Argentina President Alberto Fernandez (right) swears in Carla Vizzotti as the new health minister a day after the vaccines scandal broke BUENOS AIRES, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Argentina’s president Alberto Fernandez blasted his former health minister over an “unforgivable” COVID-19 vaccine scandal. Gines Gonzalez Garcia resigned late on Friday after it…

Japan requests airlines avoid Boeing 777 with certain engines as US aviation authority issues new directive

TOKYO, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Japan has requested that airlines avoid using Boeing 777 planes with Pratt & Whitney 4000 engines for take-offs, landings and overflights in its territory until further notice, the Japan Aeronautical Information Service Center said. The notice to airmen, issued on Sunday evening, came after a United…

EU set to agree sanctions over Russia, Myanmar crackdowns, and also Venezuela, China

BRUSSELS, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — EU foreign ministers are expected on Monday to approve sanctions against those behind RUSSIA’s crackdown on Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and his supporters, as well as those responsible for the coup in Myanmar. The top diplomats from the 27-nation bloc meet in Brussels for talks that will…

Israel scrambles to clean beaches after massive tar pollution

MIKHMORET (Israel), Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Israeli authorities warned people to keep away from the country’s Mediterranean shore to avoid amassive tar slick, as thousands of labourers and volunteers worked to cleancontaminated beaches. Powerful winds and unusually high waves pummelled Israel’s entireMediterranean coastline over Tuesday and Wednesday, with tonnes of…

Covid-19: Vaccine giant asks for world’s patience, says told to prioritise India

NEW DELHI, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The world’s biggest vaccine maker,India’s Serum Institute, has urged other countries to be “patient” about itsupplying anti-coronavirus shots, saying it has been instructed to prioritiseits home market. “Dear countries & governments, as you await #COVISHIELD supplies, I humbly request you to please be patient,”…

Covid-19: South Korea doctors threaten strike, fanning fears of vaccine rollout disruption

A health worker wearing a protective suit enjoys the falling snow at a Covid-19 testing site in Seoul SEOUL, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Doctors in South Korea have threatened a protest strike against legislation to strip them of licences following criminal convictions, sparking fears about possible disruption of a coronavirus…

Myanmar protesters grieve as funeral rites held for woman who was shot in head

People attend the funeral of Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing, a young woman protester who became the first death among anti-coup demonstrators NAYPYIDAW, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A sombre Buddhist funeral song rung out in Myanmar’s capital as the body of a young woman, struck down during a rally against this…