Covid-19: Cuba struggles to get oxygen to the sick, vaccines to the healthy

HAVANA, Aug 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Cuba has turned to the military to provide oxygen amid a surge of the coronavirus even as doctors rush to administer locally developed vaccines to the population. The government announced that the Caribbean island’s main oxygen plant had broken down in the midst of a Delta…

Strengthening storm Grace pummels Jamaica with heavy rain, wind

A woman walks next to a tarp in a makeshift camp after tropical depression Grace passed through the area KINGSTON, Aug 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tropical Storm Grace pounded Jamaica with heavy rain and wind after causing flooding in parts of Haiti, which is scrambling to deal with a major earthquake…

Covid-19: Argentine relatives of covid victims stage “March of the Stones”

BUENOS AIRES, Aug 8 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Argentine relatives of people who have died of COVID-19 staged the so-called “March of the Stones” as a tribute to their loved ones and to voice their criticism for the way the administration of President Alberto Fernández has handled the pandemic. Demonstrators marched in…

Covid-19: US reports more than 1,000 deaths in a single day

WASHINGTON, Aug 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States reported more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday, equating to around 42 fatalities an hour as the Delta variant continues to ravage parts of the country with low vaccination rates. Coronavirus-related deaths have spiked in the United States over the past month…

EU recognizes Taliban victory in Afghanistan; UK to accept 20,000 afghans

BRUSSELS, Aug 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The European Union is ready to begin dialogue with the Taliban (outlawed in Russia) but their recognition will depend on what they do, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrel said. “The Taliban have won the war. So we will have to talk with them, in…

Covid-19: Chile reports lowest number of daily cases since April 2020

Chileans queue for the vaccine in the capital Santiago SANTIAGO, Aug 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — Chile reported 405 new COVID-19 infections in the last 24 hours, the lowest daily figure since April 2020, for a total of 1,630,330 cases, Health Minister Enrique Paris said. In the same period, there were also…

UN condemns obstruction of Libya’s main water supply

Tripoli faced severe water shortages before, especially during the 2011 uprising against Gaddafi TRIPOLI, Aug 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United Nations Support Mission (UNSMIL) in Libya condemned the recent obstruction of Libya’s main water supply system by an armed group. “On 14 August, armed actors forced the closure of the…

COVID-19: Libya to reopen border crossing, resume flights with Tunisia

TRIPOLI, Aug 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — Libya announced plans to reopen its border crossing and resume flights with neighboring Tunisia. Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah issued instructions to the interior minister and transportation minister on the resumption of movement between the two countries, while stressing the need to take protective measures against…

Covid-19: Five US states set records for cases as hospitalizations soar; Texas governor test positive

Texas Governor Greg-Abbott NEW YORK, Aug 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — Five US states set new records for the average number of daily new COVID-19 cases over the weekend as infections caused by the Delta variant overwhelm hospital systems across the country and prompt many states to reinstate public health restrictions. Florida,…

US military has evacuated 3,200 people from Afghanistan so far: official

WASHINGTON, Aug 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US military has evacuated more than 3,200 people from Afghanistan so far, including 1,100 on Tuesday alone, a White House official said. “Today, US military flights evacuated approximately 1,100 US citizens, US permanent residents, and their families on 13 flights,” the official said, adding:…