Covid-19 still a global health emergency despite drop in cases, deaths: WHO

GENEVA, April 14 (NNN-Xinhua) — As the number of new COVID-19 cases and deaths continues to decline, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that the pandemic remains a public health emergency, advising countries to be prepared to scale up COVID-19 response rapidly. “On COVID-19, there’s good news. Last week, the…

Heavy rains kill 253 in South Africa

People stand on a damaged bridge after heavy rains in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa JOHANNESBURG, April 14 (NNN-Xinhua) — The death toll due to heavy rains in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Province has risen to 253, said a government official. KwaZulu-Natal Member of the Executive Council for Health Nomagugu Simelane announced…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Airports in southern Russia remain closed as Ukraine’s war continues

Travellers going through an airport MOSCOW, April 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Russian authorities have extended flight bans in southern Russia, with 11 airports due to remain closed until April 19, the Rosaviatsiya aviation authority said.Airports in the Black Sea resort of Anapa, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar and Belgorod are all affected by…

Russia-Ukiraine conflict: Nairobi declines Ukraine’s plea to address Kenyan Parliament

Kenya has not heeded to calls by Ukraine to address its parliament NAIROBI, April 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya has declined a request from Ukraine to address Parliament, as Nairobi officials fear being dragged into a conflict with the potential to hurt its bilateral ties with both Kyiv and Moscow.The details emerged…

Count on the UN for support, Sec-Gen Guterres tells Somalia

Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General UNITED NATIONS, April 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UN chief Antonio Guterres has promised continued support for Somalia amid the country’s troubles that include a grueling drought and chaos over delayed elections.Guterres made the pledge in a phone call with President Mohamed Farmaajo on Monday night, a first…

Ghana: Eight killed as gunmen raid Fulani settlements near Yendi

The Fulani settlement in Yendi YENDI (Ghana), April 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Eight people have been killed and several others missing after an attack Wednesday afternoon on a village of Fulani herders at Zakoli near Yendi in Ghana’s Northern Region. The gunmen surrounded the village at about 1 pm, according to a…

Feature: Burundians flee as Lake Tanganyika rises

Amissa Irakoze and her 10 children were displaced from their home since April 2020 due to the rise of the water level of Lake Tanganyika BUJUMBURA (Zambia), April 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — In her 40 years living by the water’s edge, Amissa Irakoze never much feared Lake Tanganyika. Floods were frequent,…

Covid-19: US renews public health emergency

WASHINGTON, April 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency, allowing millions of Americans to keep getting free tests, vaccines and treatments for at least three more months. The public health emergency was initially declared in January 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic began. It has been…

US congratulates Sharif on becoming new Pakistani prime minister

WASHINGTON, April 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on becoming Pakistan’s new prime minister following the ouster of his predecessor in a parliamentary no-confidence vote, with the top US diplomat reaffirming the “value” of the relationship between the two nations. The warm tone of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s…

US shooting: Man charged with terror offense over Brooklyn subway shooting

NEW YORK, April 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The man suspected of firing more than 30 shots in a gun attack on a New York subway train has been charged with a federal terror offence. Frank R James, 62, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon on the Lower East Side in Manhattan by two patrol…