Covid-19: ‘No isolation, few tests’: Argentina has world’s highest positive rate

BUENOS AIRES, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) –: Argentina has the world’s highest rate of positive COVID-19 tests, according to Oxford-linked tracker Our World In Data, with nearly six out of 10 yielding an infection, a reflection of low testing levels and loose enforcement of lockdown rules. Argentina was set to hit…

UK court asks for more clarity on Venezuela presidency recognition

Venezuela has $1bn worth of gold stored in the Bank of England LONDON, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Court of Appeal in London asked the High Court to re-examine a ruling that said the UK government “unequivocally recognised” Venezuela’s opposition leader as president. A High Court judge in July interpreted…

Covid-19: Twitter bans US Pres Trump death wishes, sparks debate

Twitter’s move to ban comments wishing for the death of President Donald Trump sparked calls for the platform to enforce that policy for everyone SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Twitter is removing tweets hoping for the demise of US President Donald Trump – a move which opened up the social…

Qatar Airways is giving away 21,000 free round-trip tickets to teachers worldwide

Qatar Airways DOHA, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Being a teacher can often be a stressful and thankless job, especially during times like these. But Qatar Airways has come up with the ultimate way to show its appreciation – by giving away 21,000 round-trip tickets to teachers around the world. The promotion…

26 countries urge Western sanctions lifting to tackle COVID-19

Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun UNITED NATIONS, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — China and 25 other nations called for the immediate lifting of sanctions by the United States and Western countries to ensure an effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking on behalf of the 26 countries at…

Storm Alex: Three more bodies found as French villages dig out from flooding

ROGUEBILLIERE (France), Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Rescue workers found the bodies of three more victims of intense flooding that hammered southeast France over the weekend, with the toll expected to rise further as searches continue for survivors. Four deaths have now been confirmed in France and two in Italy, where authorities…

US wildfires: Firefighters make headway in California wine country, ‘gigafire’ reaches 1 million acres

A firefighter with the San Jose Fire Department sprays water from a roof to protect a home during the Glass Fire in St. Helena, California ST HELENA (California, US), Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Firefighters aided by diminished winds made significant strides against flames wreaking havoc in northern California wine country, as…

Covid-19: One in 10 may have caught virus, as world heads into ‘difficult period’ – WHO

GENEVA, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Roughly one in 10 people may have been infected with the coronavirus, leaving the vast majority of the world’s population vulnerable to the COVID-19 disease it causes, the World Health Organization said. Mike Ryan, the WHO’s top emergency expert, was addressing the agency’s Executive Board,…

Covid-19: New York closes schools in virus-hit areas over second wave fears

NEW YORK, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — New York will temporarily close schools in nine neighborhoods experiencing an uptick in coronavirus infections, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday, highlighting the difficulty of keeping children in classrooms during the pandemic. The public and private schools are in areas of Brooklyn and Queens, where…

Kyrgyz protesters take government house, free ex-leader after after post-vote clashes

BISHKEK (Kyrgyzstan), Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Protesters seized Kyrgyzstan’s seat of government and freed a jailed former president on Tuesday after demonstrations against an election marred by vote-buying accusations spiralled into violent clashes with police. Opposition supporters hit the streets of the capital Bishkek the previous evening to demand the…