Guatemala: President asks Congress to reinstate death penalty for femicide, child abuse

GUATEMALA CITY, Feb 13 (NNN-TELESUR) — Guatemala’s President Alejandro Giammattei urged Congress to reinstate the death penalty for some crimes, including femicide and child abuse, following the murder of an eight-year-old girl in the country. “Let our hands not tremble to confront criminals,” Giammattei said, stressing that hardly any felony receives…

Covid-19: Brazil congress support to extend pandemic emergency payments for another four months

BRASILIA, Feb 13 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The leaders of Brazilian congress two chambers announced priority will be given to reviving pandemic emergency payments to the vulnerable population, which are expected to be granted in four months, from March to June. Senate president Rodrigo Pacheco speaking next to Economy minister Paulo Guedes…

British lawyer elected as prosecutor of the International Criminal Court

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British human rights lawyer Karim Khan was elected as the new prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), a politically daunting position whose incumbent was slapped with US sanctions. Khan, 50, previously led a special UN probe into crimes by the Islamic State in…

Update: Car bomb explodes near Somali presidential palace in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Feb 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) –A car bomb exploded in Mogadishu outside the Somali parliament compound near the presidential palace on Saturday, police said. According to police officer Abdullahi Aden, the bomb went off near the heavily fortified green zone in the capital of the Horn of Africa nation at about…

UN rights envoy, US urge sanctions against Myanmar military

People march with placards in a protest against the military coup GENEVA, Feb 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations human rights investigator for Myanmar urged the UN Security Council to consider imposing sanctions and arms embargoes as a UN rights body adopted a resolution calling for Aung San Suu Kyi’s release. The…

Breaking news: Casualties feared in suicide car bombing in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Feb 13 (NNN-Xinhua) — An unknown number of people are feared dead and others injured when a suicide bomber drove into a checkpoint in the Somali capital Mogadishu Saturday, police said. — NNN-XINHUA

Covid-19: Chile’s president gets first dose of Chinese vaccine, delivers message of confidence

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera shows his vaccination record SANTIAGO, Feb 13 (NNN-Xinhua) — Chile’s President Sebastian Pinera received the first dose of the CoronaVac vaccine developed by Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac against the novel coronavirus disease, along with those aged 71 and over. While visiting a community healthcare center in…

Draghi accepts mandate as Italy’s new PM, unveils new cabinet

ROME, Jan 13 (NNN-Xinhua) — Former president of the European Central Bank (ECB) Mario Draghi officially accepted the mandate to lead the new Italian government as Prime Minister. Draghi announced his decision early Friday evening, after a 45-minute talk with President Sergio Mattarella, from whom he had received the task…

China’s TikTok becomes global sponsor of Euro 2020

NYON (Switzerland), Feb 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Short-form mobile video app TikTok has become a global sponsor of the Euro 2020 tournament, European ruling body UEFA said.TikTok are the first digital entertainment platform to sponsor a major international UEFA tournament.“Over the coming months, we are really looking forward to working closely…

Covid-19: US House committee approves another US$14 billion for pandemic-hit airlines

U.S. airlines are burning through millions of dollars as the pandemic crushes travel demand WASHINGTON, Feb 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A US House committee approved a proposal to give airlines another US$14 billion in payroll assistance as part of a broader COVID-19 relief package that is working its way through Congress.It would be…