Heavy rains leave 16 dead, 33 missing in SE Brazil

Residents carry buckets of mud and water, as search for victims of a mudslide, where people remain missing at Barreira neighbourhood in Guaruja, Sao Paulo SAO PAULO, March 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — At least 16 people are dead and 33 missing following flooding and mudslides caused by heavy rains in southeast…

Italy’s confirmed coronavirus cases rises to 2,263, plus 160 recoveries, 79 deaths

A fan of AC Milan walks outside the San Siro stadium after a Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Genoa was postponed ROME, March 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — Italian authorities on Tuesday confirmed 2,263 coronavirus cases, which marked an increase of 428 infections compared to the previous day. The…

Argentina confirms first COVID-19 case

Argentinean Health Minister Gines Gonzalez Garcia (C) BUENOS AIRES, March 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — Argentinean authorities has confirmed the country’s first case of the new coronavirus (COVID-19). The patient is a man, 43, who returned to the capital Buenos Aires on Sunday from a trip to Italy. “The man was in…

Update: EU leaders express unity in dealing with migrant flows after visiting Greek-Turkish border

Migrants and refugees behind a wired fence at the closed Kastanies border crossing in northeastern Greece. Photo courtesy of XINHUA. ATHENS, March 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — Leaders of European Union (EU) expressed their support for Greece and determination for a common European response to the refugee, migrant challenge after a visit…

Germany reports 31 new coronavirus infections as Ukraine confirms 1st case

BERLIN, March 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany rose to 188 on Tuesday, up from 157 on Monday afternoon, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) said. Thirteen of Germany’s 16 federal states have now reported cases of the novel coronavirus, with the western state of North…

South Africa: President Ramaphosa saddened by horrific bus crash – 25 dead, 61 injured

PRETORIA, March 4 (NNN-XINHUA) — South African President Cyril expressed his profound sadness and concern at a horrific bus crash that claimed at least 25 lives and injured 61 others. “This tragedy leaves our country deeply saddened and forces us to focus yet again on the need for transport providers…

Ethiopia intensifies coronavirus prevention efforts with WHO help

ADDIS ABABA, March 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Ethiopian government has formed a national ministerial committee that will closely monitor ongoing efforts to contain a potential COVID-19 outbreak in Ethiopia. According to a statement issued by the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the decision to assemble the high-level ministerial committee was…

Nile Dam: Ethiopia says US view “totally unacceptable”

ADDIS ABABA, March 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Ethiopia has said the US position on the controversial Nile River mega-dam project is “totally unacceptable”. The US is negotiating between Ethiopia and Egypt in the ongoing dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam that some fear could lead to war. Ethiopia accused the US of overstepping…

US: 25 dead as tornadoes tear though Tennessee

WASHINGTON, March 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tornadoes ripped through Tennessee early Tuesday, leaving at least 25 people dead, destroying buildings and toppling power lines. The twisters touched down shortly after midnight. Residents ran for their lives as their homes came down around them. Tens of thousands lost power to their homes,…

US Pres Trump, Taliban political chief speak as Afghan violence rises after partial truce collapses

US President , Donald Trump. WASHINGTON/KABUL, March 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump made the surprise announcement that he’d had a “very good” talk with the Taliban political chief on the Afghan peace process, despite an eruption of violence marring a brief calm in the country. The insurgents were…