Update: South Africa parliament fire contained – Firefighters

CAPE TOWN, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A fire that ravaged South Africa’s parliament has been contained after strong winds had reignited the blaze, firefighters said on Tuesday. The fire began in the early hours on Sunday and devastated much of the parliament complex before it was declared under control on…

Covid-19: US single-day cases surpass 1 million as Omicron variant continues to haunt Europe

WASHINGTON, Jan 4 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United States shattered a single-day record with over 1 million COVID-19 cases on Monday amid the rapid spread of Omicron variant and government decisions to ease prevention and control measures in the country. As of 0500 GMT Tuesday, the country registered about 1.07 million…

Newborn baby found in toilet bin of Air Mauritius plane

 PORT LOUIS, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Airport staff in Mauritius have found a newborn baby boy abandoned in the rubbish bin of a plane’s toilet. A 20-year-old woman from Madagascar, suspected of having given birth on the flight, was arrested. The Air Mauritius plane, which arrived from Madagascar, landed at…

Covid-19: French Mps get death threats over support for vaccine pass

 PARIS, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Several French MPs say they have received death threats as they debate a Covid-19 pass that would bar the unvaccinated from much of public life. The government is seeking to pass a law that would require people to show proof of vaccination to access public…

Zimbabwe: 632 arrested as Zimbabwe-South Africa tighten border security

Beitbridge border crossing HARARE, Jan 4 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) –Zimbabwe and South Africa have tightened security along the Limpopo border to thwart illegal activities, especially smuggling and the irregular movement of people between the two countries, with over 600 being arrested last Sunday alone. Between Dec 10 and Dec 31 last year,…

British army officer Harpreet Chandi has arrived safely at the South Pole, first woman of colour to achieve such a feat

ANTARCTICA, Jan 4 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — A British Army captain has made history by becoming the first woman of colour to cross Antarctica unsupported. Captain Harpreet Chandi has arrived safely at the South Pole after a 700-mile trek in 40 days. She battled bouts of sickness and diarrhea as she took…

Canada court awards compensation for families of airliner downed by Iran

MONTREAL, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Canadian court has awarded more than CAN$100 million in compensation to the families of six people who died aboard a Ukrainian passenger jet shot down over Tehran almost two years ago, local media said. Iran shot down Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 shortly after…

Covid-19: Chilean zoo jabs big cats, orangutan

Bornean orangutan Sandai receives his second dose of an animal coronavirus vaccine at the Buin Zoo in Chile BUIN (Chile), Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Bengal tiger Charly and Bornean orangutan Sandai, both members of endangered species, have received coronavirus vaccines at a Chilean zoo in a Latin American first. Charly,…

Update: Haitian PM says he was targeted in assassination attempt

Prime Minister Ariel Henry PORT-AU-PRINCE, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry said in an interview on Monday that he was targeted in an assassination attempt during weekend national day celebrations. “An attempt has been made against me personally. My life has been put in the crosshairs,” said…

Four beekeepers detained after protest in Chilean capital, police stung by bees

Beekeepers detained by riot police after they blocked the street with honeycombs full of bees in front of the Chilean presidential palace, in Santiago SANTIAGO, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Four beekeepers were detained after protesting in front of Chile’s presidential palace in Santiago on Monday, according to local officials, with…