Covid-19: WHO warns pandemic not over amid Europe case records

GENEVA, Jan 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a warning to world leaders that the coronavirus pandemic “is nowhere near over”. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cautioned against the assumption that the newly dominant Omicron variant is significantly milder and has eliminated the threat…

UN confirms 2021 among seven hottest years on record

  GENEVA, Jan 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The past seven years have been the hottest on record, the United Nations confirmed, adding that 2021 temperatures remained high despite the cooling effect of the La Nina weatherphenomenon.   “The warmest seven years have all been since 2015,” the UN’s World Meteorological Organization…

Senior US diplomats in Sudan for talks over ending crisis

 KHARTOUM, Jan 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Senior US diplomats met with pro-democracy activists Wednesday in Sudan as part of talks to discuss the way forward after last year’s military coup, Washington’s embassy in Khartoum said. Sudan has been shaken by regular protests and a deadly crackdown since the Oct 25 military…

Covid-19: Omicron unlikely to mark end of pandemic, Russian expert says

 MOSCOW, Jan 20 (NNN-TASS) — The coronavirus pandemic will continue until most people develop immunity, Director of Russia’s Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Gintsburg told the Rossiya-24 TV channel. “I do believe that everyone can contract it [Omicron]. But unfortunately, I see no scientific reasons to believe…

Canada ends contract with Malaysia’s glove maker Supermax over labour allegations

OTTAWA, Jan 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Canada has terminated its sourcing contract with Malaysian glove maker Supermax Corporation following allegations about forced labour, the country’s public services and procurement department said. Malaysian factories making products ranging from medical gloves to palm oil have increasingly come under scrutiny over allegations that they…

Jamaica make history by qualifying for 3 bobsleigh events at Beijing Winter Olympics

Jamaica first sent a four-man bobsled to the 1988 Calgary Winter Games KINGSTON, Jan 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Jamaica have qualified for three Olympic bobsleigh events for the first time ever, their team said, setting the stage for a Cool Runnings-style underdog drama to unfold at the Beijing Games. For the…

Yemen conflict: US vows to hold Houthi rebels accountable for UAE attack

Abu Dhabi police identified the dead as two Indian nationals and one Pakistani WASHINGTON, Jan 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States condemned Monday’s drone strike on Abu Dhabi claimed by Yemen’s Houthis, and vowed to hold the rebels accountable for the “terrorist attack” that left three people dead.    “The…

Photojournalist shot dead in Mexican border city

TIJUANA (Mexico), Jan 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A photojournalist was shot dead Monday in Mexico’s crime-plagued city of Tijuana bordering the United States, authorities said — the latest such murder in one of the world’s deadliestcountries for reporters.    Margarito Martinez, 49, was attacked with a firearm and his body found…

145 rights activists killed in Colombia in 2021: ombudsman

BOGOTA, Jan 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Colombia saw 145 community leaders and rights defenders killed in 2021, a year marked by anti-government protests that were brutally put down, the country’s human rights ombudsman said.   The toll was lower than in 2020, when 182 killings were registered, the offices of ombud…

Peru beaches suffer oil spill blamed on waves from Tonga volcanic eruption

LIMA, Jan 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Peruvian authorities sealed off three beaches after they were hit by an oil spill blamed on freak waves caused by the volcanic eruption in Tonga.    The Pampilla Refinery, part of the Spanish company Repsol, said there had been a “limited spill” of oil off…
Load More