Covid-1:US resumes WHO support, launches $1.9 trillion virus plan

GENEVA, Jan 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States said it would resume its funding for the UN’s health agency as President Joe Biden shifts towards greater international cooperation in the fight against Covid-19, while also launching a $1.9 trillion plan to tackle the pandemic at home. On his first day…

Covid-19: Cuba will produce 100 million doses of its vaccine

HAVANA, Jan 21 (NNN-TELESUR) — Cuba to produce 100 million doses of its new Soberana 02 coronavirus vaccine this year to meet its internal demand and those of other countries, a leading Cuban scientist reported. “We are reorganizing our production capacities because we really have a lot of demand for the vaccine and we have…

South American leaders congratulate Joe Biden and Kamala Harris

QUITO, Jan 21 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Leaders of South America congratulated and celebrated the new United States administration on Wednesday as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were officially inaugurated. Ecuadoran President Lenin Moreno called it “a great day” for the US. “Democracy triumphs, respect for the will of…

UK and EU in row over bloc’s diplomatic status

The EU has maintained its diplomatic mission in the UK after Brexit  LONDON/BRUSSELS, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) —A diplomatic row has broken out between the UK and EU over the status of the bloc’s ambassador in London. The UK is refusing to give Joao Vale de Almeida the full diplomatic status that…

Covid-19: Portuguese president says elections to go ahead on Jan 24 despite lockdown

Virus Outbreak Portugal Election LISBON, Jan 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa confirmed the holding of presidential elections on Jan 24, despite the lockdown enacted in Portugal to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Portuguese should vote on Sunday. It is very important to vote while respecting health…

48 illegal migrants rescued off Libyan coast: IOM

TRIPOLI, Jan 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that 48 illegal migrants have been rescued off Libyan coast. “IOM staff are at the Tripoli port to provide emergency assistance to 48 migrants returned to shore by the coast guard today,” IOM Libya tweeted. Among the migrants…

Covid-19: UK virus surge leads to record daily deaths and hospitals like ‘war zones’

LONDON, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Some British hospitals resemble a “war zone” due to the influx of coronavirus patients in the country’s latest wave of the disease, the government’s chief scientific adviser said. The grim assessment by Patrick Vallance came as the UK announced another 1,820 fatalities from Covid-19, breaking…

Cuba says Trump sanctions cost it US$20 billion

HAVANA, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Trump administration’s stepped-up sanctions against Cuba cost the communist-run island some US$20 billion, a foreign ministry official said. “The damage to the bilateral relationship during this time has been considerable, and the economic harm to Cuba immense,” Johana Tabalada, a senior ministry official, said.…

Expelled Honduran migrants cling on to American dream

EL FLORIDO (Guatemala), Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Returning home to a life of hunger and desolation, Hondurans who were kicked out of Guatemala as they started off on a long walk to the United States are vowing they will not abandon their pursuit of the American dream. Among the thousands driven…

French Muslim groups deal blow to Macron’s anti-extremism charter

PARIS, Jan 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three Muslim groups refused to back an anti-extremism charter pushed by French officials following a spate of militant-inspired attacks, dealing a blow to a flagship initiative of President Emmanuel Macron’s government. The charter rejects “instrumentalising” Islam for political ends and affirms equality between men and…