Covid-19: Pandemic could push 45 million in Latin America into poverty – UN

UNITED NATIONS, July 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The COVID-19 pandemic could push 45 million people from the middle classes into poverty in already economically troubled Latin America and the Caribbean, the United Nations said. “In a context of already gaping inequalities, high levels of informal labor and fragmented health services, the…

Israeli troops kill Palestinian in West Bank: Palestinian ministry

RAMALLAH, July 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Israeli troops killed a Palestinian civilian in the West Bank on Thursday, the Palestinian health ministry said. The ministry did not give any details as to the circumstances of the killing, stating only that “a civilian was killed by Israeli forces” after being shot in…

Covid-19: ADB strengthens partnership with WHO to help Asia combat pandemic

MANILA, July 10 (NNN-BSS) –– The Asian Development Bank (ADB) strengthened its partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), recognizing that increased collaboration is helping to expand critical health care across Asia and the Pacific and contain the spread and impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. During a conference…

Melania Trump statue burned in Slovenia after statue of Pres Trump in capital Ljubljana also burned in January

LJUBLJANA, July 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US artist behind a wooden statue of Melania Trump in Slovenia said Thursday that he was mulling an “artistic response” after his work was burned down at the weekend. American conceptual artist Brad Downey erected the life-sized statue near the US First Lady’s hometown…

Russian bounties: Pentagon vows ‘action’ if intel confirmed

WASHINGTON, July 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Top Pentagon officials pledged Thursday to “take action” if the US military could corroborate intelligence suggesting Moscow paid militants linked to the Taliban to kill US soldiers in Afghanistan. General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Secretary Mark Esper spoke…

Covid-19: Bolivia’s interim President Anez says she has coronavirus

LA PAZ, July 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Bolivia’s interim President Jeanine Anez announced that she has tested positive for coronavirus. “I’ve tested positive for COVID-19, I’m fine, I will work from isolation,” she tweeted. The 53-year-old said in a video on Twitter that she would remain in quarantine for 14 days…

Syria conflict: ‘Flagrant’ war crimes committed in Idlib battle, UN says

IDLIB: Hundreds of civilians were killed before a ceasefire was agreed in March UNITED NATIONS, July 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Syrian pro-government forces and their opponents flagrantly violated the laws of war during the battle for Idlib province last year, UN investigators say. Civilians endured “unfathomable suffering” when the Syrian military launched…

Yemen: UK to resume Saudi arms sales after humanitarian review

More than 60% of civilian deaths have been the result of Saudi-led air strikes, the UN says  LONDON, July 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UK is to resume arms sales to Saudi Arabia despite concerns they could be used against civilians in Yemen, in violation of international humanitarian law. Sales were…

Bubonic plague: WHO ‘monitoring’ case in China but says it is ‘not high risk’

Marmot-hunting is banned near Mongolia but goes on despite warnings GENEVA, July 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The World Health Organization (WHO) says it is “carefully monitoring” a case of bubonic plague in China’s northern Inner Mongolia region, but says that it is “not high risk”. A herdsman is stable in hospital after being confirmed with…

Covid-19: Five million begin lockdown in Australian city

MELBOURNE, July 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Five million people in Australia’s second-biggest city began a new lockdown Thursday, returning to tough restrictions just weeks after they ended as Melbourne grapples with a resurgence of coronavirus cases. Residents have been told to stay at home for six weeks after other measures to…