Covid-19: Thousands of flights cancelled globally as Omicron mars Christmas weekend

NEW YORK, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Commercial airlines around the world cancelled more than 4,300 flights over the Christmas weekend, as a mounting wave of COVID-19 infections driven by the Omicron variant created greater uncertainty and misery for holiday travellers. Airline carriers globally scrapped at least 2,366 flights on Friday,…

Two dead, many missing as refugee vessel sinks off Greek island, 3rd incident within a week

ATHENS, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two bodies have been retrieved as a rescue operation was underway Friday night near the Aegean Sea island of Paros, after the sinking of a vessel carrying refugees and migrants, according to Greek media reports. So far, 57 passengers have been rescued, with survivors stating…

UN chief welcomes de-escalation in northern Ethiopia

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 25 (NNN-Xinhua) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the de-escalation gestures of the Ethiopian government and the Tigrayan forces in northern Ethiopia. The secretary-general welcomed the Ethiopian government’s announcement on Thursday that its forces will pause at its current positions, as well as the Tigrayan forces’ message…

Tourist bus crashes into a ravine and leaves 5 dead and 50 injured in Goiás

BRASILIA, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A tourist bus leaving the Sao Paulo State for Brasilia crashed early Friday, killing five and injuring 50, according to the fire department of the Goias State in east-central Brazil. The accident occurred in Aparecida de Goiania, about 220 km southwest of Brasilia, at about…

Covid-19: UK reports more than 120,000 daily cases for first time

LONDON, Dec 25 (NNN-Xinhua) — Britain has reported another 122,186 coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period, exceeding 120,000 daily cases for the first time since of the start of the pandemic, according to official figures. It brought the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 11,891,292. The…

Nigeria: Police foil kidnap, rescue 48 persons in Kaduna

The police saved the 48 kidnapped persons ABUJA, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigeria’s Kaduna State Police Command has foiled a kidnap attempt, rescuing 48 persons at Udawa village in Chikun local government area of the state.The command’s spokesman, ASP Mohammed Jalige, said this in a statement he issued on the…

Nigerian government declares free train rides from Dec 24 to Jan 4

ABUJA, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Federal Government has declared free train rides for citizens from Dec 24 to Jan 4, 2022.Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Friday in Abuja.“The decision which was made in collaboration with the Ministry of…

Sudan women protest against ‘rape by security forces’

Women have played a major role in protests against October’s coup in Sudan  KHARTOUM, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hundreds of women have rallied in Sudan against sexual violence following allegations that 13 women and girls were raped at a protest on Sunday. The UN said it had received “disturbing reports”…

Russian Pres Putin hails multiple launch test of hypersonic missile

 MOSCOW, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Vladimir Putin said the Russian military successfully fired a simultaneous salvo of its Zircon hypersonic missiles, calling it “a big event” for the country. As world powers race to develop advanced weaponry, Russia has carried out a number of successful tests of its Zircon…

Covid-19: US to lift travel ban on southern Africa – official

  WASHINGTON, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States will next week lift the travel ban imposed on several southern African nations when the Omicron variant of Covid was first detected, officials said.    Countries around the world restricted travel from southern Africa after the variant was detected in South…