Georgia PM resigns over plans to arrest opposition leader

TBILISI, Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Georgia’s prime minister resigned on Thursday over plans to arrest a top opposition leader, saying it riskedescalating a political crisis in the ex-Soviet nation. Giorgi Gakharia said he was stepping down because of disagreement in thegovernment over enforcing a court order to arrest Nika Melia,…

US Pres Biden expected to allow remittances and flights to Cuba

WASHINGTON, Feb 16 (NNN-TELESUR) — The US National Security Council Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs Juan Gonzalez stated that President Joe Biden pledges to lift the limit on remittances to Cuba and resume direct flights between the two countries. One of Biden’s campaign promises was to transform Donald Trump’s foreign policy…

DR Congo: At least 60 people died after overloaded boat sank

KINSHASA, Feb 16 (NNN-TELESUR) — The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Humanitarian Action Minister Steve Mbikayi informed that 60 people died after a boat sank in the Congo River on Sunday night. “The boat was sailing at night with an excess of passengers, which is forbidden by authorities,” Mbikayi explained…

Covid-19: Argentina’s death toll reached 50,327

BUENOS AIRES, Feb 16 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Argentina’s Health Ministry said 91 COVID-19 deaths in the past 24 hours have raised the country’s total death toll to 50,327. According to the ministry, tests have detected 3,259 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the nationwide count to 2,029,057. As the two-day Carnival holiday began…

Sierra Leone loses case against US-linked mining firm in UK court

LONDON, Feb 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain’s High Court dismissed Sierra Leone’s challenge of a 2020 International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) decision over claims by SL Mining after a dispute over its iron ore mining operations in the country.The miner, a subsidiary of US commodity trader Gerald Group, filed for arbitration…

Update: Guinea Ebola death toll rises to five

Guinea govt is tracking down people who potentially had contact with Ebola victims CONAKRY, Feb 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Five people have now died from Ebola in Guinea as the government launched an urgent contact-tracing search after the disease’s latest reappearance.Guinea announced the outbreak on Saturday – the first in West…

US vows to be ‘constructive partner’ for new WTO chief

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala selected as director-general by consensus ENEVA, Feb 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US delegate to the World Trade Organization welcomed the appointment of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as director-general and said the United States was counting on her to jumpstart efforts to reform and revitalize the global trade body. “Dr Okonjo-Iweala has promised…

NATO will not leave Afghanistan before ‘time is right’

A US soldier keeps watch at an Afghan National Army base in Logar province BRUSSELS, Feb 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance will not withdraw its troops from Afghanistan “before the time is right”, ahead of a discussion by defence ministers…

Cyprus to probe police force against protesters

A protester on the ground after she was sprayed with a water cannon during a rally against corruption and Covid-19 restriction measures in Nicosia. NICOSIA, Feb 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Cyprus green-lighted an independent investigation on Monday after police were accused of using excessive force against protesters, leaving one woman reportedly…

Covid-19: Vaccine shortage forces Rio to suspend jabs

An elderly woman gets a coronavirus vaccine shot in Rio de Janeiro, which will suspend vaccinations after running out of doses RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Rio de Janeiro will suspend its COVID-19 vaccination campaign until next week because the Brazilian city has run out of doses, Mayor Eduardo…