US says spoke to Russia on reciprocal action, warned on Ukraine

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman (L) and Russian deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (R)   GENEVA, Jan 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said she spoke to Russia about reciprocal moves to de-escalate on missiles and exercises, but renewed warnings of major costs if…

Covid-19: Anti-vaccine protesters rally in France, Germany, Austria, Italy

Demonstrator holds a banner reading “No to health pass” and “Truth” during a protest against the health pass and COVID-19 vaccines at Place du Palais-Royal, Paris PARIS, Jan 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Protesters have taken to streets across western Europe in protest against COVID-19 vaccine requirements, with more than 100,000 people…

Zimbabwe: 11 feared dead after boat capsises in crocodile-infested Limpopo River

HARARE, Jan 9 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — At least 11 Zimbabweans who attempted to cross the crocodile-infested Limpopo River into South Africa are feared dead after a boat transporting them capsized, while three others were swept away in different incidents. Beitbridge Police District Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo saidt only one body had…

Ecuador: No human or wildlife damages reported after Galapagos volcano eruption

QUITO, Jan 9 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Ecuador’s Geophysical Institute has reported the Wolf Volcano, located on Isabela Island, the largest in the Archipelago of the Galapagos, went into eruption early Friday. The volcano, the highest of the Galapagos, is some 100 kilometers from the nearest human settlement.  The volcano’s slopes also…

Covid-19: Anvisa okays vaccine entirely produced in Brazil, but disapprove by vaccine-sceptic Pres Bolsonaro

BRASILIA, Jan 9 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) approved the first nationally manufactured COVID-19 vaccine and also considering a second pediatric drug after having cleared Pfizer’s for children aged 5 to 11. Anvisa issued a favorable opinion for the Rio de Janeiro state-run Oswaldo Fiocruz Institute to…

UN envoy welcomes meeting of Libyan military leaders

TRIPOLI, Jan 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — United Nations envoy Stephanie Williams welcomed a meeting between military leaders from the Libyan interim government and the eastern-based army, reiterating UN’s support for a peaceful resolution to the country’s longstanding conflict. The UN secretary-general’s special adviser for Libya made the remarks after Muhammad Al-Haddad,…

Ethiopia-Tigray crisis: Airstrike kills dozens in Tigray IDP camp, aid staff

MEKELLE (Tigray, Ethiopia), Jan 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Fifty-six people have been killed and dozens more injured in an airstrike on a camp for the displaced in northern Ethiopia, aid workers say. Images on social media purportedly show people receiving treatment after the strike on a school in the town of…

Kenya: Aviation workers issue one-week strike ultimatum as talks collapse

NAIROBI, Jan 9 (NNN-KBC) —Operations across the country’s airports could be grounded in the next one week after salary talks between the management of Kenya Airports Authority and Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) collapsed. Following the move, the union has issued a one-week ultimatum to the KAA management to effect…

West African leaders to discuss Mali crisis in key summit

ACCRA, Jan 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — West African leaders will gather Sunday to discuss Mali’s political crisis, with the military junta submitting a new timeframe for a transition back to civilian rule at the last minute after its first proposal was rejected.    The extraordinary summit of the Economic Community of…

Covid-19: More than 100,000 march in France against vaccine requirements

PARIS, Jan 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 100,000 people across France protested Saturday over what they say are government plans to further restrict the rights of the unvaccinated, days after French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to “piss off” those refusing the jab.    The turnout was four times higher than the…