Russia blocks UN draft resolution on Libya over ‘mercenary’

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia blocked a UN draft resolution on Libya due to inclusion of the word “mercenary” in the text, diplomats said, casting doubt that a Security Council vote will occur by week’s end. “There are a few sections in the resolution that are of concern,”…

Update: Another 41 on Japan cruise have new coronavirus – minister

TOKYO, Feb 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Another 41 people on board a cruise ship off Japan’s coast have tested positive for the new strain of coronavirus, Japan’s health minister said on Friday. The new cases raise the number of confirmed infections on board the ship to at least 61, said Katsunobu…

Update: China virus death toll hits 636, more than 30,000 infected

BEIJING, Feb 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The official Chinese death toll from thecoronavirus outbreak rose on Friday to 636, with the government saying total infections had climbed past 30,000. The toll was raised by 73 new deaths from the epidemic, the NationalHealth Commission said in its daily update. Another 3,143 new…

Israeli strikes kill 23 Syrian, foreign fighters in Syria

BEIRUT, Feb 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Israeli air strikes killed 23 Syrian and foreign fighters in Syria Thursday, a monitor said, the latest in a spate of raids Israel has said targeted an Iranian presence on its doorstep. Israel has pledged to prevent its main enemy from entrenching itself militarily in…

EU states urge justice in Myanmar at UN Security Council

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN Security Council’s EU member states called for Myanmar to bring to justice those who have carried out human rights violations against Rohingya Muslims. France, Estonia, Germany and Belgium urged Myanmar to comply with measures meant to prevent genocide set forth by the…

7 dead in Congo fever outbreak in Mali

BAMAKO, Feb 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Seven people have died in an outbreak of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, also known as Congo fever, in a village in central Mali, an official said. Yacouba Maiga, the spokesperson for the regional government of the central Mopti region, said that a shepherd “contracted the illness…

Pharmacies profiteering from coronavirus will be shut: Russian Pres Putin

MOSCOW, Feb 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russian leader Vladimir Putin ordered the closure of pharmacies accused of hiking prices of face masks, as demand soars over fears that the deadly coronavirus could spread. Speaking at a government meeting, Putin said profiteering from the brisk sales of masks was wrong and pharmacies…

Record-breaking US astronaut set to return to Earth

ALMATY (Kazakhstan), Feb 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US astronaut Christina Koch is set to return to Earth Thursday having shattered the spaceflight record for female astronauts by spending almost a year aboard the International Space Station. Koch of NASA is expected to touch down in the Kazakh steppes with colleagues Luca…

Global fears rise as more China virus cases found on cruise ship

BEIJING, Feb 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — China’s coronavirus crisis deepened onThursday with the death toll soaring to 563, as thousands of people trappedon quarantined cruise ships added to global panic about the epidemic. More than 28,000 people have now been infected across China as authorities struggle to contain the outbreak despite…

Bangladesh seeks EU support for Rohingya repatriation

ROME, Feb 7 (NNN-BSS) — Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought continued support of the European Union (EU) including Italy to ensure safe, dignified and sustainable return of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas. “The Bangladesh prime minister also expressed thanks to the EU including Italy for their support to the…