UN chief urges Karabakh talks under international format

A group of Azerbaijani soldiers entering the abandoned town of Kalbajar last week UNITED NATIONS, Dec 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for renewed negotiations over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region under a long-established international process after a ceasefire halted recent fighting there. Russia, the United States and France…

Covid-19: US Pres-elect Biden says jobs report is ‘grim,’ warns of ‘dark winter’ as pandemic rages

WILMINGTON (Delaware, US), Dec 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President-elect Joe Biden said “grim” jobs report shows the economic recovery is stalling and warned the “dark winter” ahead would exacerbate the pain unless the US Congress passes a coronavirus relief bill immediately. “The situation requires urgent action,” Biden said in a statement. “Americans need help…

Covid-19: President Dodon expects Moldova to receive Russian vaccine soon

MOSCOW, Dec 5 (NNN-TASS) — Moldovan President Igor Dodon expressedhope that his country would receive Russian-made vaccine against the novel coronavirus soon. “Literally this week, a phone conversation took place between MoldovanPrime Minister Ion Chicu and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. We have also filed an official request. We hope…

Update: Johnson, EU chief to hold emergency call as Brexit talks paused

LONDON/BRUSSELS, Dec 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British and European negotiators broke off their talks on a post-Brexit trade deal without agreement Friday and handed off the task of clearing the logjam to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen. The leaders will hold a telephone call on…

Mine collapse in Nicaragua traps at least 10

MANAGUA, Dec 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A mudslide in an unlicensed gold mine in Nicaragua trapped at least 10 workers Friday, state-run media reported. Crews began work to try to rescue the miners after the accident in the La Esperanza region of southern Nicaragua. Vice President Rosario Murillo, who is also…

Covid-19: Canada sees 100,000 new cases in two weeks

An average of 2,377 Canadians with severe infections have also been hospitalised each day OTTAWA, Dec 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Canada’s second wave of Covid-19 infections has led to 100,000 new cases reported in just the last two weeks, data compiled by public broadcaster CBC showed Friday. There has now been…

Covid-19: Mexico, Uruguay reports record daily increase of cases

A mural of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo wearing a face mask is pictured as the coronavirus disease outbreak surges in Mexico City MEXICO CITY, Dec 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — MEXICO’s Health Ministry reported a record daily increase of 12,127 COVID-19 cases, bringing its national caseload to 1,156,770. Meanwhile, the country’s death…

Brazil police arrest 11 in animal trafficking ring

Some of the animals are endangered species captured in the Amazon rainforest, including macaws, toucans, monkeys and reptiles such as caimans BRASILIA, Dec 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Police arrested one of Brazil’s top wildlife traffickers and rescued about 200 animals set for illegal sale, officials said. The Federal Police announced at…

UN Security Council renews authorizations for anti-piracy measures off Somalia

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — The UN Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution to renew the authorizations for anti-piracy measures off the coast of Somalia. Resolution 2554, which won the unanimous support of the 15-member council, renews the authorizations, for another 12 months, granted to states and regional…

Update: Death toll from Brazil’s bus accident rises to 17

RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — A passenger bus plunged off a 15-meter-high bridge on Friday in a town in Brazil’s southeast state of Minas Gerais, and the death toll rose to 17. Of the fatal victims, 12 people died at the scene of the accident and another five…