UN on Monday marks 75th anniversary facing world split by Covid-19

Member state flags fly outside the United Nations headquarters UNITED NATIONS, Sept 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations marks its 75th anniversary on Monday, celebrating the mantra that “multilateralism is not an option but a necessity”, even as COVID-19 underscores the fragility of international cooperation. The anniversary will kick off the…

US: Tropical Storm Beta to drop a foot of rain in Texas and Louisiana

The logo of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida NEW YORK, Sept 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tropical Storm Beta was predicted to bring a foot of rain to parts of coastal Texas and Louisiana next week as the 23rd named storm of this…

Covid-19: US sets record with more than 1 million tests in a day

A healthcare worker uses a swab to test a man at a COVID-19 drive-in testing location in Houston, Texas WASHINGTON, Sept 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States set a one-day record with more than 1 million coronavirus diagnostic tests being performed, but the country needs 6 million to 10 million…

Drought-hit Mexicans assert demands that water sharing with US ends

People and farmers protest against the decision of the Mexican government to divert water from La Boquilla dam to the US LA BOQUILLA DAM (Mexico), Sept 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Protesters gathered in drought-hit northern Mexico in an attempt to retain control of a dam key to government efforts to diffuse…

Ivory Coast tensions flare as candidate urges ‘civil disobedience’

Former president Henri Konan Bedie ABIDJAN, Sept 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tensions ratcheted up over Ivory Coast’s presidential race when former president Konan Bedie called for “civil disobedience” in response to Alassane Ouattara’s bid for a third term at the helm of the West African country. “In the face of abuse of…

Thousands march in Germany urging EU to take in Moria refugees

Police said around 5,000 people turned up at the Berlin rally BERLIN, Sept 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of people demonstrated on in Berlin and other German cities, urging the European Union to take in migrants left without shelter after a fire destroyed their biggest camp in Greece. The mask-clad protesters brandishing…

US: Woman arrested over poison ricin envelope addressed to Pres Trump

WASHINGTON, Sept 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US authorities confirmed an arrest Sunday over an envelope addressed to President Donald Trump that contained a substance identified as the poison ricin. The suspect was a woman who was carrying a gun when she was arrested by authorities, according to US media reports. “I…

US accuses Europe of inaction over Iran arms sales

WASHINGTON, Sept 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said European leaders “haven’t lifted a finger” to halt arms sales to Iran after they rejected a unilateral US declaration that UN sanctions on Tehran were back in force. The administration of President Donald Trump said the sanctions had…

Covid-19: USDA plans additional $14bn for farmers reeling from pandemic

A farmer monitoring pigs he is rearing WASHINGTON, Sept 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US federal government said that it will give farmers an additional $14bn to compensate them for the difficulties they have experienced selling their crops, milk and meat because of the coronavirus pandemic.The United States Department of Agriculture…

Belarus: Mass rallies and police data leak keep pressure on embattled Pres Lukashenko

Law enforcement officers detain a man during an opposition rally MINSK, Sept 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 100,000 people marched through Minsk on Sunday on the sixth straight weekend of protests against President Alexander Lukashenko, keeping up the pressure on the veteran Belarusian leader to quit. Many walked in a…