Latin America and Caribbean expected to grow 5.9% in 2021, UN ECLAC says

SANTIAGO, Sept 2 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — A new “Economic Study of Latin America and the Caribbean” report released Tuesday by the UN agency Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) raised its growth forecast for the region from 5.2% in July to 5.9%. Despite the encouraging improvement, these figures…

Covid-19: WHO names Colombian strain “Mu” and says it is “of interest”

GENEVA, Sept 2 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified a new SARS-Cov-2 variant which has been named “Mu” and was first detected in Colombia last January. Since then, the strain has been found in other South American countries and Europe. Technically, it was labelled B.1.621 and has…

Zambian President Hichilema says he inherits ’empty treasury’

Hakainde Hichilema failed in five previous attempts to become president  LUSAKA, Sept 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zambia’s new president said that he has inherited an “empty” treasury, while “horrifying” amounts of money had been stolen. “People are still trying to make last-minute movements of funds, which are unauthorised, which are not…

Covid-19: Italian police guard train stations as covid pass rolled-out

Rail officials in Turin had the task of checking passengers’ green passes before they travelled  ROME, Sept 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Police have stepped-up checks at Italian stations amid threats from protesters to disrupt high-speed trains on the first day of a Covid pass. The “green pass” is now compulsory for…

Morocco rejects Algeria’s reasons for severing ties

Algeria has accused members of the MAK separatist movement of starting forest fires RABAT, Sept 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Morocco has rejected reasons put forward by Algeria in its decision to sever diplomatic relations with its North African neighbour. Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra announced his country’s decision on Tuesday to cut…

Danish minister faces trial for separating migrant couples, claim combating forced child marriages

            COPENHAGEN, Sept 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A former Danish immigration minister goes on trial in a rarely used impeachment court accused of illegally separating couples who arrived in the country to claim asylum. The 26 judges of the special court, which only convenes to try former or current…

Storm Ida remnants hit northeast US with flooding, tornadoes

NEW YORK, Sept 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The remnants of Hurricane Ida wreaked further havoc as it moved up the northeastern United States, causing tornadoes and significant flooding, including in New York City. “Significant and life-threatening flash flooding is likely from the Mid-Atlantic into southern New England,” the National Weather Service…

Drought may force Brazil to ration power as Amazon fires remain near highs

BRASILIA, Sept 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourao said a severe drought could lead to energy rationing in Brazil, contradicting other officials who have said that such a step would not be necessary. Brazil, one of the world’s agricultural superpowers, is suffering from one of its worst droughts…

France, Germany urge Iran to return speedily to nuclear deal talks

BERLIN, Sept 2 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France and Germany urged Iran to return rapidly to nuclear negotiations, after a break in talks following Iranian elections in June, with Paris demanding an “immediate” restart amid Western concerns over Tehran’s expanding atomic work. France’s foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told his newly-appointed Iranian…

Biden meets with Ukrainian president over security issues, ties

Pres Biden meets with Ukrainian President in the Oval Office of the White House WASHINGTON, Sept 2 (NNN-Xinhua) — US President Joe Biden discussed security issues and bilateral ties in his first meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. At the beginning of their Wednesday meeting in the Oval Office, Biden…