Russia reports world’s first case of human infection with H5N8 bird flu

Seven workers at a Russian poultry plant were infected after a bird-flu outbreak in December MOSCOW, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia has registered the first case of a strain of bird flu virus named A(H5N8) being passed to humans from birds and has reported the matter to the World Health…

Italian authorities rescue 45 migrants after ship capsizes

 Members of the Italian Coast Guard throw buoyancy aid during a rescue operation after a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Lampedusa MILAN, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Italian Coast Guard said on Saturday it had rescued 45 migrants after their ship capsized 15 miles south of the…

Covid-19: Peru suffering medical oxygen crunch amid coronavirus spike

People wait in long lines to get medical oxygen in San Juan de Lurigancho, near Lima LIMA, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hundreds of Peruvians waited in long lines to get medical oxygen for loved ones with COVID-19, amid a shortage of the gas in the pandemic’s second wave. In San…

Covid-19: Argentina’s new health minister pledges fair vaccine access after scandal

Argentinian Minister of Health, Carla Vizzotti BUENOS AIRES, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) –Argentina’s new Health Minister Carla Vizzotti was sworn in on Saturday after the country was rattled by a scandal over VIP coronavirus vaccine access, pledging to strengthen oversight and transparency of the inoculation program. Her predecessor stepped down on…

Covid-19: Britain to offer all adults a vaccine by end of July

So far, the UK has given a first dose of vaccine to 17.2 million people LONDON, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — All adults in Britain will be offered a first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of July, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said ahead of a planned announcement on…

US: Pres Biden approves Texas disaster declaration following deadly freeze

Cars line up to receive free cases of water after the city of Houston implemented a boil water advisory following an unprecedented winter storm HOUSTON, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for Texas as the state struggles with the fallout from a winter storm that killed…

US, EU ‘deeply concerned’ by reports Myanmar security forces fired on protesters

Demonstrators fill the streets in Yangon WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States is “deeply concerned” by reports that Myanmar security forces have fired on protesters and continue to detain and harass demonstrators and others, US State Department spokesman Ned Price said in tweet. “We stand with the people of Burma,” Price tweeted.…

More than 200 illegal migrants rescued off Libyan coast: UNHCR

Migrants sit at a security checkpoint after they were intercepted before attempting a journey to Europe TRIPOLI, Feb 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — More than 200 illegal migrants, including women and children, have been rescued off Libyan coast, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said. “Over 200 persons were brought…

US shooting: 3 killed, 2 injured in shooting at gun store in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (Louisiana, US), Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three people are dead and another two injured after a shooting inside a gun store in the state of Louisiana, authorities said. The deadly shootout occurred just before 3 p.m. local time Saturday at the Jefferson Gun Outlet in Metairie, located in…

US: United Airlines flight lands safely after engine failure sends debris near Denver

Debris from a United Airlines Boeing 777 landed by a home in Broomfield, Colorado DENVER (Colorado, US), Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A United Airlines Boeing 777-200 jet with 241 people aboard landed safely with no injuries at Denver International Airport after engine failure caused debris to fall Saturday afternoon about…