Nearly 200 activists killed in Colombia in 2020: NGO

BOGOTA, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nearly 200 human rights and labor activists were killed in Colombia in 2020, the worst toll in 11 years, an NGO said as the country battles ongoing violence despite a 2016 peace deal ending decades of civil war. Attacks have increased during the coronavirus pandemic,…

Canadian court rules Iran downing of Ukraine Flight 752 ‘act of terrorism’

OTTAWA, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Canadian court ruled that the shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 was deliberate and an “act of terrorism,” paving the way for possible compensation for victims’ families. The Superior Court of Justice of Ontario found that “on a balance of probabilities” two…

Covid-19: Bolivia battles fake news in inoculation drive, leaving vaccination centres half empty

LA PAZ, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Bolivia’s immunisation drive against COVID-19 is being hit by anti-vaccine misinformation that is stoking scepticism and leaving inoculation centres half empty, a challenge for the government facing a wave of new infections. Health workers and officials have raised concerns about low turnout at some…

US Sec of State Blinken to travel to Middle East ‘in the coming days’

WASHINGTON, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to the Middle East “in the coming days,” the State Department said after Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire halting 11 days of fighting. Blinken spoke with his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi, who “welcomed Secretary Blinken’s…

Covid-19: Uruguay eases down travel restrictions

MONTEVIDEO, May 21 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The Government of Uruguay has decided that foreign travellers with both doses of any vaccine against covid-19 and a negative PCR test will not have to undergo a mandated quarantine upon entry. However, the vaccination plan needs to have been completed at least 15 days…

Covid-19: Argentina can take on Copa America by itself if protocols are observed, says Pres Fernández

BUENOS AIRES, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Argentine President Alberto Fernández insisted his country is capable of hosting singlehandedly the Copa America football competition despite 35,543 new cases of Covid-19 and 745 deaths in one day for a record total of 71,771 casualties since the beginning of the pandemic.  The Cup…

Colombians march against hosting Copa America amid social unrest

BOGOTA, May 21 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Dozens of Colombian fans gathered in front of the headquarters of the Colombian Football Federation to demand that the Copa America is not held in the conflict-ridden country, where over 40 deaths have been recorded over the last three weeks.  “The ball cannot cover the…

Japan’s Exports Surge 38 Percent Amid Solid Demand From China, U.S.

TOKYO, May 21 (NNN-NHK) – Japan’s exports in Apr, climbed 38 percent from a year ago, to book the largest increase in more than 10 years, amid continued recovery from the downside effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government said in a report yesterday. According to the Finance Ministry, exports…

Covid-19: Chile to lift lockdowns in more regions despite rising cases

SANTIAGO, May 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — Chile will lift lockdowns in 13 towns on Monday and continue to gradually ease pandemic restrictions across the country despite detecting more than 7,600 new COVID-19 cases in one day, Health Minister Enrique Paris announced. “The Step-by-Step Plan (that determines lockdowns and restrictions) is under…

Iran’s President Says “Main Agreement” Reached In Vienna Talks To Revive Nuclear Deal

TEHRAN, May 21 (NNN-IRNA) – Iran’s President, Hassan Rouhani, said yesterday that, the “main agreement” to revive the 2015 nuclear deal has already been reached in the Vienna talks, and Iran’s counterparts have agreed on the need to lift “all main sanctions.” “The other parties agree that they will lift…
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