West Africa: Pirates release Happy Lady tanker crew

West African Nations with coastlines on the Gulf of Guinea ATHENS, Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Armed hostage-takers on Wednesday released a Greek oil tanker captain and seven crew members. The crew members of the Greek-flagged Happy Lady tanker were kidnapped on Dec 31 in the port of Limbe near Cameroon’s…

Brazil: Pres Bolsonaro pledges to create an “Amazon Council” to protect the rainforest

BRASILIA, Jan 23 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said he will create an “Amazon Council” to coordinate the protection and sustainable development of the world’s largest rainforest. Bolsonaro, who has faced a firestorm of criticism for his environmental policies since taking power in January 2019, presided over a surge…

Guyana ships its first ever cargo of one million barrels of oil

All commercial oil resources in Guyana have been found at the Stabroek offshore block, where Exxon and its partners have disclosed 15 large discoveries so far. GEORGETOWN, Jan 23 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — A vessel carrying Guyana’s first-ever shipment of crude set sail on Monday bound for the U.S. Gulf Coast, oil…

2020 Elections: Peru, OAS sign deal to guarantee work of observers

LIMA, Jan 23 (NNN-ANDINA) — The National Election Board (JNE) and the  Organization of American States on Wednesday signed a procedural agreement in order to guarantee the work of the OAS observer mission for the parliamentary elections scheduled for Jan 26. The agreement will ensure the free movement of OAS specialists on…

Peru on alert against coronavirus outbreak

LIMA, Jan 23 (NNN-ANDINA) — Airports, seaports, and land ports will be on alert to activate healthcare protocols rapidly in case symptoms of respiratory infection —related to the China coronavirus outbreak— are detected among travelers to Peru, Ministry of Health (Minsa) said. After confirming that no coronavirus case has been…

DR Congo warned of proxy wars between neighbours

Violence has already been driving people to flee from the area for years KINSHASA, Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — There’s a risk of proxy wars in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the International Crisis Group (ICG) has warned.Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda are suspected of supporting different insurgent groups.Intensifying…

WHO extends emergency talks over coronavirus outbreak in China

GENEVA, Jan 23 (NNN-Xinhua) — The World Health Organization (WHO) extended to Thursday its emergency talks on whether the novel coronavirus outbreak in China constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). “There was an excellent discussion during the meeting today, but it was also clear that to proceed,…

‘Mexico doesn’t want us’: migrants get stuck at Mexico-Guatemala border

Migrants travelling to the U.S. make a line to get breakfast in an improvised shelter in Tecun Uman TECUN UMAN (Guatemala), Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hundreds of Central Americans trying to reach the United States were stuck at the Mexico-Guatemala border after the Mexican government beefed up security to meet…

Thousands on Greek islands protest against migrant camps

LESBOS ISLAND (Greece), Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of residents on Greek islands hosting large migrant camps on Wednesday kicked off a day of protests, demanding the immediate removal of asylum-seekers. The islands of Lesbos, Samos and Chios staged a general strike, shutting down shops and public services and rallying in…

US confirms first case of Wuhan virus on American soil

Airport health screenings have been stepped up across China and Asia WASHINGTON, Jan 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States announced its first case of a new virus that has claimed at least 17 lives in China and sickened hundreds, joining countries around the world in ramping up measures to block its spread. The man,…