US creates new envoy position to counter rising terrorism in Sahel

The Sahel region in Africa: a belt up to 1,000 km wide that spans 5,400 km from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea WASHINGTON, March 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States has created a special envoy position to counter rising violence in Africa’s Sahel region, a State Department spokesman said. Peter Pham, started his…

Kenya: Rare white giraffes killed by poachers, one left remaining – conservationists

The giraffes lived in an unfenced conservancy  NAIROBI: March 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Two extremely rare white giraffes have been killed by poachers in north-eastern Kenya, conservationists say. Rangers had found the carcasses of the female and her calf in a village in north-eastern Kenya’s Garissa County. A third white giraffe is still alive.…

Covid-19: Italians barred from Austria to stop spread

Checks began on Tuesday at the Brenner Pass between Italy and Austria  VIENNA/ROME, March 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Austria has banned people entering the country from Italy unless they carry a medical certificate, in an attempt to stop coronavirus spreading. Speaking after the Italian government imposed travel restrictions across the country, Chancellor…

Brazil: Death toll from mudslides hits 44

SAO PAULO, March 11 (NNN-XINHUA) — The death toll from thedevastating mudslides that occurred one week ago in southeast Brazil’s SaoPaulo state has reached 44, local authorities said. Using heavy earth-moving machinery, firefighters dug up the body of afellow rescue worker who died while trying to save a family buried…

Covid-19: New York deploys National Guard to fight coronavirus

People walk through downtown in New Rochelle, New York NEW YORK, March 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — New York is deploying National Guard troops for the first time in the coronavirus crisis to help contain thespread of the disease from an infection-hit suburb of New York City, thestate’s governor said. Andrew Cuomo…

US urges Iran to release American prisoners amid virus crisis

WASHINGTON/TEHRAN, March 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States called for Iran to release all American prisoners held in the country as thecoronavirus outbreak reportedly spreads through its prisons. “The United States will hold the Iranian regime directly responsible forany American deaths. Our response will be decisive,” US Secretary of StateMike…

Update: US Pres Trump economic stimulus measures face Covid-19 reality

WASHINGTON, March 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Donald Trump’s push for economic stimulus measures to combat market turmoil in the midst of the growing coronavirus crisis got to a slow start after talks withskeptical lawmakers. The outbreak has prompted US airlines to cancel flights, the FederalReserve to make its first emergency…

Covid-19: Panama records Central America’s first coronavirus death

PANAMA CITY, March 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Panama’s health minister confirmed eight cases of the new coronavirus in the country, including onedeath, the first virus-linked death in Central America. “Of the eight patients we are reporting, one person is in intensive care,another unfortunately died,” Minister Rosario Turner said during a pressconference…

Covid-19: UK health minister tests positive for coronavirus

LONDON, March 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A British ministerin the health department Nadine Dorries has tested positive for coronavirus, she said in a statement, raising concerns about whether senior government figures have been infected. “I can confirm I have tested positive for coronavirus… and have beenself-isolating at home,” said the Conservative…

‘Green favela’ fights to live sustainably in Brazil

SAO PAULO, March 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At first glance, it looks like anyother shantytown in Brazil: a precarious jumble of tin-roof shacks and shoddy streets. But look closer, and the community garden, rainwater harvesting system and environmental education program are visible too: this “favela” is remarkably green. On the outskirts…