World Bank names former Senegal finance minister to head IFC

WASHINGTON, Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Bank announced that it has selected former Senegal finance minister Makhtar Diop to lead the agency responsible for private sector finance at a critical time for the global recovery. He would be the first African to lead the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which…

Covid-19: Pres Biden pledges $4bn for global vaccine program as CDC projects 559,000 US deaths by March 13

WASHINGTON, Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Joe Biden will pledge $4 billion in US aid to the Covax global Covid-19 vaccination program during his virtual meeting with other G7 leaders on Friday, White House officials said. An initial $2 billion will be released “by the end of this month,” with…

Update: US offers to meet Iran, reverses Trump steps in push to save nuclear deal

WASHINGTON, Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Joe Biden’s administration offered talks with Iran led by European allies and reversed two largely symbolic steps against Tehran imposed by Donald Trump, as it sought to salvage a nuclear deal on the brink of collapse. Three days before Iran’s deadline to restrict…

Covid-19: Venezuela kicks off vaccine program

CARACAS, Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Venezuela started immunizing health care workers against the coronavirus Thursday with the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, as the government said it intended to inoculate 70 percent of the population by year end. Glendys Rivero, a 37-year-old surgeon from Los Teques in the country’s north, was…

Covid-19: Brazil passes 10 mn infections

BRASILIA, Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazil, the country with the second-highest coronavirus death toll, passed the 10-million mark for reported infections Thursday, amid a deadly second wave and problems with its vaccination campaign. The country became the third to reach the grim mark — after the United States and India…

US officially rejoin Paris climate agreement

WASHINGTON, Feb 19 (NNN-TASS) – The United States officially again become a party to the Paris climate agreement on Friday after a four-month break. US President Joe Biden repeatedly stated during his election campaign that if he wins the election, he intends to return the United States to the agreement…

Covid-19: One-third of US military refusing vaccine – Pentagon

WASHINGTON, Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pentagon officials said that about one-third of the US military are declining to receive the Covid-19vaccine, despite significant coronavirus infection levels in the forces. Major General Jeff Taliaferro revealed the high refusal rate inCongressional hearing, as the US Defense Department continues to classifycovid vaccines as…

US to help Guatemala address causes of undocumented migration

WASHINGTON, Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — As President Joe Biden works tooverhaul US immigration policy, the top US diplomat told hisGuatemalan counterpart that Washington would help address the root causes of irregular migration. Secretary of State Antony Blinken “emphasized the US commitment to addressing the structural problems that trigger irregular migration”…

US charges North Korean hackers in $1.3 bn theft scheme

WASHINGTON, Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Justice Department charged three North Korean military intelligence officials in a campaign ofcyberattacks to steal $1.3 billion in crypto and traditional currencies frombanks and other targets. The first action against Pyongyang by President Joe Biden’s administrationtook aim at what the department called “a…

Europe to meet US on Iran as nuclear deadline looms

PARIS, Feb 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Top diplomats from European powers and the United States will hold talks to see how to revive the 2015 dealon Iran’s nuclear drive, days ahead of a deadline set by Tehran that couldhinder the efforts by limiting inspections. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will…
Load More