Covid-19: Turkey’s daily cases surge above 20,000

Nationwide vaccination began for seniors of 80 years old or older in Istanbul ISTANBUL, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Turkey’s new coronavirus cases jumped to 22,291 on Wednesday, the highest since early May, according to health ministry data that also showed the daily death toll reached a six-week high of 76 people.…

Covid-19: Japan covid adviser urges clear risk message as cases surge in Olympic host

TOKYO, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Japan faces its most serious situation since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the country’s top medical adviser warned, urging the government to send a “clearer, stronger message” about growing risks, including to the medical system. Olympic host city Tokyo recorded 3,177 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday,…

China’s new ambassador arrives in US with words of optimism

WASHINGTON, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — China’s new ambassador to the United States, Qin Gang, on Wednesday wished the US victory against COVID-19 and said great potential awaited bilateral relations, striking an optimistic tone as he arrived at his new post amid deeply strained ties. Qin’s arrival comes days after high-level talks in the…

US sees ‘substantive’ talks with Russia amid tensions

GENEVA, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States said on Wednesday it had held “professional and substantive” talks with Russia focused on arms control, as the two powers met in Geneva in a fresh bid to bring stability to a fraught relationship. The closed-door talks were a follow-up to last month’s…

Covid-19: US to ship 4 million vaccine doses to Nigeria, 5.66 million to South Africa

WASHINGTON, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US government will ship nearly 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to two of the most populous African countries: Nigeria and South Africa: as the continent battles a third wave of infections, White House officials said. Four million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will…

Germany charges Syrian doctor with crimes against humanity

The alleged torture took place at military hospitals in Damascus and Homs after the 2011 Syria uprising BERLIN, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Syrian doctor has been charged in Germany with crimes against humanity for allegedly torturing people in military hospitals in his homeland and killing one of them, German…

Covid-19 still devastating in the Americas, health agency says

People wait to receive a dose of Cuba’s Abdala vaccine at a vaccination center in Caracas, Venezuela BRASILIA, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — COVID-19 continues to inflict a devastating toll on the Americas, with Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador and Paraguay among the countries with the world’s highest weekly death rates, the…

Haiti premier says he plans elections as quickly as possible

PORT-AU-PRINCE, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Haiti’s new Prime Minister Ariel Henry said the government plans to create conditions for the Caribbean nation to hold elections as swiftly as possible following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise earlier this month. Already struggling with political paralysis, economic malaise and gang-fuelled violence, Haiti was…

US slaps sanctions on Syria armed group with Turkey links

People walk past posters depicting Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad WASHINGTON, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States slapped sanctions on a Syrian armed group that killed a Kurdish politician amid Turkey’s 2019 incursion, vowing to keep pursuing accountability in the war-ravaged country. The United States also took action against two men…

Peru’s Castillo assumes presidency, pledging economic stability

LIMA, July 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pedro Castillo on Wednesday said Peru’s colonial wounds still ran deep and he would seek to heal them, while promising economic stability in his inaugural speech as president. Speaking on the day that also marked the country’s 200th anniversary since declaring independence from Spain, Castillo…