Covid-19: US reopens mass vaccination sites, suspends cruises amid covid surge

NEW YORK, Jan 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — Temporary mass vaccination sites that were wound down months ago across the United States are being reopened to get more people vaccinated and boosted in the latest surge of COVID-19 fueled by the Omicron variant. “Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island…

Swedish Crown Princess Victoria tests positive for COVID-19 again

Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria STOCKHOLM, Jan 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden has tested positive for COVID-19, the Royal Court said, only days after King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia also tested positive. “The Crown Princess, who is fully vaccinated, has cold symptoms but is otherwise well.…

Covid-19: UK’s coronavirus-related deaths top 150,000

A memorial wall near St Thomas’ Hospital in London remembers those who have died with Covid LONDON, Jan 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — Britain reported a further 313 coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain to 150,057, according to official figures released Saturday. The country also reported another…

UN Women sets the theme for 2022 International Women’s Day

The International Women’s Day will be marked by a high-level virtual event on March 8, 2022 UNITED NATIONS, Jan 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations Women have set the theme for International Women’s Day, as “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow,” which will be marked by a high-level virtual…

Nigerian Navy hands over 20 suspected oil thieves to EFCC

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Nigeria ABUJA, Jan 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Nigerian Navy on Saturday handed over the impounded vessel – MTT4 and 20 suspected crude oil thieves to the officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Bayelsa.Commodore Patrick Effah, the Commander, Nigerian Navy…

Covid-19: US Supreme Court scrutinises Pres Biden vaccine mandates

WASHINGTON, Jan 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Supreme Court appears doubtful as to whether the Biden administration can enforce a vaccine-or-testing mandate for large private employers. The rules apply to companies with more than 100 employees, requiring workers to get fully vaccinated against Covid or be tested weekly. The court…

Denmark frees suspected pirates in dinghy in Gulf of Guinea

The container ship was allegedly attacked by suspected pirates in the Gulf of Guinea  COPENHAGEN, Jan 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three suspected pirates who were detained for six weeks on a Danish warship off West Africa’s coast have been released at sea in a small dinghy. The three were captured in…

Canada’s oil sands exports to Asia reach record with new link

A heavy hauler truck drives through a mine above the Athabasca oil sands near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada  OTTAWA, Jan 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Canada’s oil sands producers were able to export a record amount of crude to overseas markets thanks to a new link to the US Gulf Coast. The…

Jailed Palestinian activist lands in France after Egypt release

PARIS, Jan 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Egyptian-Palestinian activist Ramy Shaath arrived in France Saturday after almost two-and-a-half years in detention in Egypt, after his family said he had to renounce his Egyptian nationality.    The 48-year-old was a figure of the 2011 uprising in Egypt and the coordinator of the Egyptian…

Ethiopia announces pardons for high-profile political prisoners

The government says opposition politician Jawar Mohammed is one of the high-profile detainees being pardoned ADDIS ABABA, Jan 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Ethiopian government has announced it would pardon and release some of the country’s most high-profile political detainees, including opposition figure Jawar Mohammed and senior Tigray party officials. The announcement came…